Somalia’s deputy prime minister meets mercy corps delegation to discuss drought response and humanitarian support

Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Saalax Ahmed Jama, on Tuesday hosted a high-level delegation from Mercy Corps at his office during their working visit to the country.

The meeting focused on the ongoing drought, food insecurity, and security challenges, as well as strengthening effective collaboration to address the country’s humanitarian needs. The Mercy Corps delegation presented their ongoing programs supporting communities affected by drought, particularly pastoralists and farmers.

Deputy Prime Minister Jama urged Mercy Corps to enhance its support for drought preparedness and mitigation efforts, emphasizing the need for additional funding and sustainable programs to improve community livelihoods. He highlighted the importance of expanding financial services to productive sectors such as livestock, agriculture, water, and energy.

He further stressed the importance of unifying government and international efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and recurring droughts, which directly impact communities’ daily lives and regional development.

Both parties agreed on the necessity of strengthening cooperation, increasing resources, and implementing effective programs that address immediate humanitarian needs while building community resilience to future climate shocks.

Mercy Corps also committed to continuing participation in Somalia’s development programs, focusing on water access, renewable energy, agriculture, and livestock initiatives to enhance communities’ ability to withstand natural disasters.

The meeting is part of ongoing government and international efforts to improve drought preparedness, reduce climate-related impacts, and strengthen essential community services for the Somali population.