Mogadishu, (SONNA) – The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahmoud Macallin Abdulle, held a key meeting with Mr. George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, alongside experts and senior officials from both sides.
The discussions focused on the worsening drought in Awdal region, which has severely affected local communities and is spreading into areas under Puntland. The meeting addressed existing challenges and explored the best approaches for developing a unified response plan to the humanitarian situation.
Both parties agreed to convene a national humanitarian conference bringing together Somali business leaders, religious scholars, local and international organizations, donors, and the United Nations. The conference aims to strengthen collaboration between the Somali people and the international community to effectively address droughts and other emergencies.
Commissioner Abdulle reaffirmed SoDMA’s commitment to uniting all stakeholders, stressing that no single actor can handle disasters alone and that joint planning between government, civil society, and international partners is crucial.
It was also announced that the next session of the Humanitarian Forum — held three times annually — will take place in Jowhar, the capital of Hirshabelle State. The forum will serve as a platform to align perspectives and develop practical strategies for tackling humanitarian crises across Somalia.
The meeting concluded in a positive atmosphere, with participants reaching full consensus on implementing the agreed action points to address drought and other disasters affecting the country.
