The Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya Canada's Representation Abroad Some development issues affect not only specific countries in Africa such as Somalia, but also entire regions. To meet such challenges effectively, CIDA’s Pan-Africa Program offers direct support to pan-African organizations that wish to strengthen their organizational structures and skills.

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) does not maintain a significant assistance program in Somalia and there are no long term projects planned in this country.

In 2003-2004, Canadian Official Development Assistance to Somalia totalled $2.22 million.

Somalia, like all other countries and territories eligible for Canadian development assistance, can benefit from various programs. Examples of such programs are:

• regional and multilateral programs including:
  • the Pan-Africa Program
  • the Canada Fund for Africa and
  • the Humanitarian Assistance Program; (to respond to current food shortages in Somalia and even to respond to the crisis caused by the 2004 tsunami);

• other programs that allow institutions, associations, Canadian and international non-governmental organizations and, private sector enterprises to receive funding from CIDA to execute projects worldwide; and

• the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives managed by the Canadian High Commission in Kenya.