By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 9 October 2026 Somalia’s disaster management chief has urged government and opposition politicians to avoid politicising humanitarian assistance and instead help deliver relief to affected communities, responding to criticism by former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire over the government’s handling of the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Mohamud Maallin Abdulle, commissioner of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), made the remarks in an interview with Miizaan Podcast, broadcast by Dawan Media. The interview followed the publication of Khaire’s opinion article, titled “A Nation Left to Starve”, on Dawan Africa on September 17.
In the article, Khaire warned that about six million Somalis were experiencing severe hunger and that famine could become a possibility in some regions between October and January. He accused the government of failing to prepare adequately, arguing that the risks had been identified in advance.
Abdulle acknowledged Khaire’s experience in humanitarian work, noting that the former prime minister had previously worked with the Norwegian Refugee Council and participated in efforts to address drought-related emergencies.
However, Abdulle said humanitarian assistance should not become a tool for political confrontation. He urged politicians on both sides to help mobilise resources for affected communities.
“We do not want humanitarian assistance to be politicised,” Abdulle said.
He said the crisis involved families facing hunger and malnutrition, rather than political figures seeking to score points against one another.
“What is being discussed is not just a number; it is people,” he said, referring to Somali mothers, fathers and children affected by malnutrition.
Abdulle called on political leaders and other public figures to contribute financially or provide other forms of assistance rather than limit their involvement to criticism of the government.
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He also cited previous humanitarian emergencies in Somalia, including the droughts of 1992, 2006, 2011 and 2016–2017, as well as the crisis in 2022, saying the country had repeatedly faced severe humanitarian pressures.
The commissioner said the current challenges were compounded by climate change, insecurity, the activities of the al-Shabaab militant group and local conflicts over dwindling resources, including water.
Khaire’s article cited several indicators of the crisis, including an estimated 4.8 million people relying on humanitarian assistance, nearly two million facing emergency levels of need and a United Nations appeal for $852 million. He said less than one-third of the requested funding had been received.
He also warned of potential flooding during the October-to-December Deyr rainy season, citing concerns raised by climate and humanitarian agencies. He called for a national flood preparedness plan, renewed support for nutrition and health facilities, and measures to protect displaced families from forced evictions.
Abdulle said responsibility for responding to humanitarian needs extended beyond the current administration. He noted that former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, widely known as Farmaajo, and the current president had also spoken publicly about relief efforts.
He urged political leaders to turn their statements into practical support for people in need.
“Anyone who speaks about humanitarian assistance and people in distress should contribute financially or bring forward other forms of support,” he said.Khaire, who served as Somalia’s prime minister from 2017 to 2020, argued in his article that the government should establish a funded national response plan and work with international agencies and Somali organisations to deliver assistance before conditions deteriorate further.
The exchange highlights differing views on the government’s response to Somalia’s humanitarian crisis, with Khaire questioning its preparedness and SoDMA’s commissioner calling on political leaders to prioritise practical support for affected communities.