The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia warns there will be many challenges facing the country, as millions of people have been displaced because of violence. William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.

According to Michael Keating, corruption and the use of violence by power brokers in Somalia continue to stunt and threaten progress in the country. The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Somalia also says that terrorist groups are thriving thanks to the absence of a functional local government and other conflicts within the country. He did however state that when major actors in the country cooperate - progress can be made.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that nearly 6.2 million people in Somalia need humanitarian and protection assistance.

And with limited rainfall predicted for the coming crop season- the world body admits that the outlook is grim for 2018. As we head into the new year, the UN states that life-saving aid needs to be a priority and that more mid- to long-term investments are needed to reduce risk and vulnerability.

Keating underscores that creating constructive partnerships in the country is vital in tackling some of these significant obstacles. William Denselow, CGTN, New York.