SoDMA Commissioner Delivers Emergency Water Aid to Drought-Hit Af-Barwaaqo

 

The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, accompanied by members of the Galmudug Drought Committee, arrived in Af-Barwaaqo District in the Mudug Region on the fifth day of an ongoing drought response mission across Galmudug State.

The visit forms part of a broader humanitarian outreach aimed at supporting communities severely affected by prolonged drought conditions that have devastated livelihoods and deepened water shortages across the region. Upon arrival, the Commissioner held consultations with the district administration and local drought response leaders to assess the evolving humanitarian situation and identify urgent priorities.

During the visit, Mr. Mohamud Moallim Abdulle handed over 100 water tankers to the Af-Barwaaqo District Administration and the district-level Drought Committee. The water supply is designated for distribution to families facing acute water scarcity in the district and surrounding rural villages, where access to safe drinking water has become increasingly limited.

Field assessments conducted by the delegation revealed extremely harsh living conditions in several affected areas. Communities are grappling with the compounded effects of prolonged drought and climate change, which have accelerated desertification and contributed to the depletion of traditional water sources. Many pastoralist families have suffered significant livestock losses, further undermining their economic stability and food security.

The Commissioner also observed that poor road infrastructure and the spread of sand dunes have created serious logistical challenges, limiting the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to remote settlements. In some locations, difficult terrain has slowed down relief operations and increased the cost of transporting water and essential supplies.

Mr. Mohamud Moallim Abdulle reaffirmed SoDMA’s commitment to strengthening coordination with regional authorities and enhancing early response mechanisms to ensure timely support reaches the most vulnerable populations. He emphasized that sustained national and international collaboration remains essential to addressing the escalating humanitarian needs caused by recurrent droughts and climate-related shocks.

The Af-Barwaaqo visit is part of SoDMA’s continued efforts to scale up emergency interventions and build resilience among drought-affected communities across Galmudug, as authorities work to mitigate the long-term impacts of climate variability and protect vulnerable households from further hardship.