Overview
Somalia’s national immunisation programme depends on a robust, reliable
cold chain to maintain vaccine efficacy from central storage through to
community-level distribution. The existing central vaccine storage
infrastructure in Mogadishu was inadequate to meet growing demand and
modern cold-chain standards. UNICEF engaged SETAC to conduct site
assessments, topographic and geotechnical surveys, and to develop
complete architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering
designs for a new purpose-built Central Vaccine Store — a critical piece of
Somalia’s public health infrastructure.
SETAC’s multidisciplinary design team developed a comprehensive design
package in full compliance with WHO cold-chain standards and
international vaccine storage guidelines. The design addressed the specific
requirements of cold-room construction, temperature control systems,
backup power provision, and the operational workflow demands of a
high-volume national vaccine distribution facility. Alongside the engineering
designs, SETAC prepared complete tender documentation — including
detailed BOQs, technical specifications, and procurement dossiers —
enabling UNICEF to run a fully informed, competitive construction tender
process.
THE CHALLENGE
Designing specialist cold-chain infrastructure in Mogadishu required the
integration of civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering
expertise within a single, coherent design package — all aligned to WHO
standards within a compressed delivery timeline of three months. SETAC’s
multidisciplinary in-house team and established working relationship with
UNICEF Somalia enabled rapid mobilisation, efficient design reviews, and
timely delivery of the complete documentation package.
