Somalia's Disaster Agency Calls for Self-Reliance as International Aid Declines

By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter

Somalia, 10 November 2025 — The Chairperson of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahamud Moalim Abdulle, has stated that Somalia’s humanitarian challenges can now best be addressed through self-reliance and community solidarity, as international humanitarian assistance continues to decline.

This year, Somalia has received only 19 per cent of the humanitarian aid it requested, raising concern about reliability of donor funding.

“One of the main reasons for the decline in aid is the U.S. government’s decision to reduce its international humanitarian budget, which has directly affected Somalia,” said Abdulle, emphasizing the need to build a Somali-led aid system.

He added that the most encouraging development is that Somalia itself has become the 9th largest donor within the country, a proof that the private sector, civil society, and local organizations can play a major role in humanitarian response.

“We want to focus on making companies and civil society the backbone of domestic relief efforts — providing financial support, equipment, and services,” Abdulle said, stressing that the only sustainable path forward is one built on internal cooperation and clear planning.

The SoDMA Chairperson concluded by saying that Somalia is moving in the right direction — toward building domestic capacity, self-sufficiency, and international credibility founded on accountability and sound planning.