MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Bashir Mohamed Jama, undertook an extensive working visit to the Galmudug State today to evaluate the escalating environmental challenges affecting the region. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, the Minister toured the towns of Hobyo, Hinbarwaaqo, and El-huur to witness firsthand the severe consequences of climate variability on local populations.
Upon arrival, the federal delegation was received by the Minister of Environment for Galmudug State, Mr. Said Siyad, alongside community leaders and members of the civil society. The joint inspection aimed to align federal and state-level efforts in addressing the environmental crises that are increasingly disrupting livelihoods in central Somalia.
A critical component of the tour focused on the historic coastal city of Hobyo. Here, the Minister inspected several neighborhoods that are currently facing an existential threat from shifting sand dunes. This phenomenon, intensified by environmental degradation and climate change, has resulted in sand masses encroaching upon and burying residential structures, displacing families and threatening infrastructure.
Minister Bashir engaged in detailed discussions with local administrators and affected residents, listening to their accounts of the property loss and the urgent need for intervention. He expressed deep concern regarding the scale of the degradation, noting that the situation in Galmudug serves as a stark example of how the climate crisis is altering the physical landscape of the country.
Concluding the assessment, the Minister pledged that the Federal Government is committed to accelerating environmental protection initiatives. He outlined plans to implement robust climate adaptation strategies and specific programs designed to mitigate the hardships faced by the communities in Hobyo, Hinbarwaaqo, and El-huur. This commitment marks a renewed focus on sustainable solutions to ensure the long-term viability of these settlements against the aggressive forces of nature.
