The President of Jubaland State, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, on Monday held talks with the Head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Somalia, Manuel Marques Pereira, focusing on drought response and humanitarian support in the region.
The meeting, held at the Jubaland Presidential Palace, addressed the worsening drought conditions affecting several areas of Jubaland and the urgent need for increased international assistance to mitigate the humanitarian impact on vulnerable communities.
Discussions also centred on strengthening cooperation between the Jubaland administration and IOM in areas related to displacement, resilience building, and emergency response, as prolonged dry conditions continue to threaten livelihoods, food security, and access to basic services.
In addition, the two sides reviewed progress on the Kismayo water supply project, which aims to channel water from the Jubba River to the city through the Yoontooy area. Officials noted that the project is nearing completion and is expected to significantly improve access to clean and reliable water for Kismayo residents.
President Ahmed Mohamed Islam welcomed IOM’s continued support and emphasized the importance of sustained international partnership to address the long-term effects of climate-related challenges in Jubaland. Mr. Pereira reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to working with local authorities to support drought-affected communities and strengthen durable solutions across the region.