Baidoa, SONNA – The Somalia Country Humanitarian Forum (CHF 2025), organized by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), officially opened today in Baidoa, the interim capital of the South West State, bringing together national and international stakeholders to chart a new path for humanitarian action in Somalia.
In his keynote address, SoDMA Commissioner Mr. Mohamud Moalim Abdulle highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis facing the country, particularly the severe drought in the Awdal region, which has affected over 600,000 people. He also pointed to ongoing conflicts that continue to cause widespread displacement in regions such as Hiran, Middle Shabelle, and Gedo.
The Commissioner emphasized the Somali government’s ongoing efforts to respond, including the recent announcement of $500,000 in financial aid, while the Banadir Regional Administration has pledged an additional $200,000. However, he stressed that more support is urgently needed from the private sector, Somali diaspora, and local institutions to adequately respond to the growing humanitarian needs.
Calling for a paradigm shift in humanitarian assistance, Mr. Cabdille urged the development of inclusive partnerships that put Somali institutions and communities at the center of aid planning and implementation. “It is time to move beyond rhetoric and act decisively,” he said. “Somalis must be in the driver’s seat of their humanitarian future.”
The CHF 2025 conference focuses on coordinated relief, addressing funding challenges, and improving collaboration between local and international actors. Commissioner Abdulle announced that a follow-up conference will be held soon to further strengthen cooperation and operationalize outcomes discussed at the forum.
The opening of CHF 2025 marks a significant step toward a Somali-led and inclusive humanitarian response framework, aligned with the government’s resilience and recovery priorities.
