Access to basic healthcare and clean water remains vital to the wellbeing and resilience of communities facing persistent shortages. Addressing these essential needs not only provides immediate relief but also strengthens cooperation, trust and relationships between security forces and the communities they serve.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel from Hoosingo area serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), conducted a Key Leadership Engagement (KLE) and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activity in Hoosingo Town aimed at addressing priority community needs while strengthening relations with the local population.

During the medical outreach, residents received treatment for common ailments and benefited from health education designed to promote disease prevention, hygiene and healthier practices within households and the wider community.

The KDF personnel also distributed clean drinking water to several households, providing much-needed relief to residents affected by persistent water shortages. The intervention addressed an immediate humanitarian need while complementing broader efforts to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.

Beyond the provision of essential services, the engagement created an important platform for dialogue between AUSSOM personnel, local leaders and residents. Through sustained interaction and responsiveness to community concerns, such engagements help strengthen mutual understanding, build confidence and foster cooperation between security forces and the population.

The initiative underscores the importance of Civil-Military Cooperation in supporting communities within the mission area while creating conditions conducive to peace and stability. By combining security operations with community-centred engagements, KDF personnel serving under AUSSOM continue to strengthen relationships that are essential to building lasting trust and supporting long-term stability in Somalia.