Mogadishu, 23 October 2016  - The new Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Hubert Price, today visited key facilities run by the UN in Mogadishu to familiarize himself with operations of the organization in the country.

Mr Price toured the UN hospital and visited the airport facilities of the Movement Control (MOVCON) section and the Joint Air Terminal, which serves staff of the UN and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

A veteran of over 20 years of experience in UN peacekeeping operations, Mr. Price was warmly welcomed by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Michael Keating, when he arrived in Mogadishu to take up his new duties on 20 October.

“As the new Head of UNSOS, it is important that I get a feel for how the mission is operating. The medical facilities are a key component in any peacekeeping operation,” Price noted. “In an area like Somalia, aviation support is another critical component with the expanse and road networks and the security situation.”

Mr Price noted that the visit had given him the opportunity to introduce himself to staff members and hear about some of the challenges they face.

“It is one thing to read it in a report, but it is something else to hear it from people. Those dealing with it, day in and day out. That is what I want to do when I come around,” he stated.

Price will also visit UN field offices outside Mogadishu  as well as the troop contributing countries of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

UNSOS is responsible for providing support to AMISOM, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the Somali National Army and the Somali Police Force on joint operations with AMISOM.