By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, April 28, 2025 The United Nations’ humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called for increased global support during a visit to Somalia, warning that funding shortfalls are undermining efforts to respond to growing humanitarian needs.
Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, made the remarks during meetings with Somali officials and aid partners in Mogadishu on Tuesday.
“We are responding to growing crises at a time when the generosity of the international community is not what it was,” he said.
He said the visit aimed to assess conditions on the ground and support ongoing response efforts. Fletcher met the head of the Somali Disaster Management Agency, Mahamud Mo’allim Abdulle, and other humanitarian actors to discuss coordination in addressing drought, displacement and climate-related pressures.
The head of Hormuud Salaam Foundation, Abdullahi Nur Osman, said the delegation was briefed on the humanitarian situation and local drought response efforts.
“We shared updates on the overall humanitarian situation and the work being carried out, including water trucking operations in drought-affected regions over the past three months,” Osman said.
He added that Fletcher indicated Somalia remains a priority and that efforts would be made to mobilise additional support.
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Government sources said Fletcher is expected to visit displacement camps in Mogadishu and travel to Baidoa in South West State during his trip, which runs from April 27 to May 1.
Somalia’s 2026 humanitarian response plan is seeking $852 million, but funding gaps persist, with only about a quarter of the 2025 plan funded, according to United Nations data.
The country faces recurring crises driven by drought, conflict and food insecurity, leaving millions in need of assistance.