MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday received United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher at the presidential palace in Mogadishu, where the two sides discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia and the need for stronger international support for vulnerable communities across the country.
Fletcher, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, is visiting Somalia at a time when the Horn of Africa nation continues to face overlapping crises, including armed conflict, climate-related disasters, food insecurity and large-scale displacement.
According to officials familiar with the meeting, discussions focused on accelerating humanitarian assistance to populations affected by drought, flooding and insecurity, as well as improving coordination between the Somali government, UN agencies and international aid organizations operating in the country.
President Mohamud praised the United Nations for what he described as its “continued commitment” to supporting Somalia during a difficult period marked by recurring humanitarian emergencies and ongoing military operations against the Al-Shabaab militant group.
“The Somali government remains committed to working closely with international partners to ensure aid reaches communities most in need,” the president said, according to a statement released after the meeting.
Fletcher reaffirmed the UN’s support for Somalia and stressed the importance of sustained humanitarian funding, warning that millions of Somalis remain at risk due to climate shocks, conflict and economic hardship.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that Somalia remains one of the world’s most fragile humanitarian situations, with many families displaced by violence and extreme weather events linked to climate change.
The visit also comes amid growing concern among aid organizations over funding shortfalls that could affect emergency relief operations in Somalia and across the wider Horn of Africa region.
The United Nations has been one of Somalia’s principal humanitarian partners for decades, providing emergency food aid, health services, shelter assistance and support for internally displaced people.
