By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, 6 January 2025 The National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has warned that, unless urgent action is taken, the number of Somalis in need of humanitarian aid could reach 7.1 million by April this year.
SoDMA Chairman, Mahamud Moallim Abdulle, presented a report on the ongoing drought situation during the recent Council of Ministers meeting, revealing that 4.7 million people are already affected.
Abdulle told Dawan Africa that SoDMA has already begun developing a plan, focusing on organizing and implementing the Emergency Disaster Response Fund to help secure long-term financial resources.
"SoDMA has already started preparing an urgent National Response Plan and is focusing on creating the Emergency Disaster Response Fund to ensure continuous funding," he said.
The chairman also highlighted the focus on supporting small-scale farmers and implementing water conservation measures, such as digging wells and building reservoirs, to ensure water availability in the affected regions.
"SoDMA is concentrating on actions to mitigate the crisis before it escalates, that is, supporting small farmers, water conservation, well-digging, and creating reservoirs to store rainwater," he added.
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According to SoDMA, more than 1.7 million people across 11 regions, including Gedo, Hiiraan, Bay, Bakool, Galgaduud, Mudug, Sool, Sanaag, Togdheer, Awdal, and Lower Juba, will soon be in critical need of emergency aid.
This because the situation is expected to worsen during the peak of the dry season, from mid-December to March. Drought conditions worsened this year after failed rains in Somali regions, with some areas along rivers reporting a reduction in river flow, which has further impacted crop production reliant on rainfall and river water.
Abdulle emphasized that while the drought can be prevented and managed, it requires collective effort from the Somali people.
"The drought is a challenge that can be faced if tackled together. SoDMA is committed to responding continuously to these challenges to protect the lives and livelihoods of the Somali people," he noted.
The Council of Ministers has also directed relevant agencies to accelerate coordination of national responses and strengthen collaboration between the federal government, regional states, and international partners to reduce the impact of the drought.
