MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s disaster management agency, SoDMA, has issued a stark warning over the humanitarian crisis as three million people are facing the risk of starvation.
Commissioner Mohamud Moalim of SoDMA said Somalia is facing a drought due to the delayed Deyr rains, which typically occur from September to November, affecting 6 million people in 13 regions.
Moalim stated that 5.98 million people, including 3.2 million in urgent need, require immediate aid due to drought-induced crop failures, livestock deaths, and water shortages.
He called for $1.45 billion to support a comprehensive response, including emergency aid, long-term resilience efforts, and urgent life-saving interventions.
“We helped 2.1 million people in the last three months with water, food, and health services, but these efforts are insufficient given the scale of the crisis,” he said.
The drought has severely affected Galmudug, where 25 trucks of food aid, funded by China and Turkey, have been sent to support 13,000 families.
He said SoDMA uses food aid distribution to meet immediate survival needs while planning for future resilience against similar climatic shocks.
Moalim also urged a united effort, calling on government agencies, wealthy Somalis, and international donors to collaborate in mitigating the drought’s impact.
“We need international support and efficient aid distribution more than ever,” he said.
