MOGADISHU (SD) – The Chairman of the Disaster Management Agency, Mahamud Moalin Abdulle, announced in a press conference held at the central headquarters of SoDMA that the country has entered a severe drought stage, requiring urgent and continuous relief efforts, following the failure of the expected Deyr rainy season in September, October, and November.

According to recent reports, more than 5.98 million people are now in need of humanitarian aid and immediate support, with 3.2 million of these vulnerable individuals facing critical conditions. Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to the drought in search of survival, while 1.4 million livestock have perished.

In response to the significant impact of this drought, SoDMA has provided aid to 2.1 million people in the past three months, who still require continuous humanitarian assistance. To address the drought affecting more than 13 out of the 18 regions in the country, $1.45 billion is needed.

Chairman Mahamud Mualin Abdulle called on government agencies, well-off Somalis, and donors to jointly advocate for relief efforts and prevent the drought from escalating further. He also expressed gratitude to the governments and donors who have shown support.