By Horn Africa News Staff | Mogadishu
The Chairperson of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahamud Moallim Abdulle, has addressed the severe drought affecting the Awdal region in northwestern Somalia. In his statement, the Chairperson highlighted the government’s close monitoring of the humanitarian crisis and outlined efforts underway to provide urgent assistance to the affected communities.
“We have been closely following the drought situation in Awdal region,” said Mr. Abdulle. “As a government, we are actively working on delivering aid to those affected, in collaboration with the Somali public, business communities, and our international partners.”
Mr. Abdulle emphasized the importance of solidarity during times of crisis, urging all sectors of Somali society to contribute to the response efforts. He noted that while the drought has caused widespread suffering—particularly among pastoralist communities—the government, through SoDMA, remains committed to coordinating relief operations and mobilizing resources to reach those in need.
The Chairperson also appealed to local and international stakeholders to enhance their support, stressing that the humanitarian response must be swift and inclusive in order to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods.
The drought in Awdal region continues to pose a serious threat to the lives and well-being of thousands of people. SoDMA’s leadership, in coordination with national and international partners, is calling for urgent and collective action to mitigate the impact of this crisis and to provide timely relief to vulnerable communities.
In addition to the ongoing drought in the Owdal region, residents are facing a range of other serious challenges. The local population, which strongly believes in Somali unity and national identity, lives under the authority of the Somaliland administration — a self-declared entity that has claimed independence from Somalia for over 39 years.
“I don’t know how the Somali government can help us. We are an oppressed and suffering people. Those who always claim to have been victims of massacres, they have also committed massacres against us, the people of Owdal,” said a resident of Borama town, speaking on condition of anonymity.
