SoDMA and UN Call for Urgent Action as Somalia Faces El Niño and Severe Food Insecurity

BAIDOA – The new President of South West State, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madobe), has officially launched the Somalia Country Humanitarian Forum in Baidoa, a high-level gathering focused on drought recovery and preparing for the anticipated El Niño 2026 risks.

The forum brought together the Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), federal and state ministers of humanitarian affairs, and leaders from humanitarian agencies to assess the current humanitarian situation in Somalia and strengthen coordination between the government and aid organisations. The discussions centered on accelerating relief for vulnerable communities and establishing strategies to address the country’s humanitarian challenges.

President Madobe emphasised the importance of collaboration among all humanitarian actors to achieve sustainable solutions and mitigate the impact of disasters and humanitarian conditions across the country.

Somalia’s flagship humanitarian summit, the 2025 Country Humanitarian Forum (CHF2025), officially opened in Baidoa amid rising humanitarian needs across the country. The high-level forum, spearheaded by SoDMA, convened critical stakeholders from government agencies, international partners, UN organizations, NGOs, civil society groups, and donor representatives[reference:0].

El Niño Preparedness and National Response Plan

SoDMA Commissioner Mahamud Moalim Abdulle addressed the forum, stating that Somalia continues to face the effects of droughts, floods, and climate change. He warned of the risk posed by the expected El Niño rains, which could cause severe flooding and humanitarian crises in the coming months.

Somalia’s Prime Minister has previously visited SoDMA headquarters to evaluate El Niño preparedness, with officials briefing him on the measures they had already put in place to prepare for the El Niño rains[reference:1].

Commissioner Abdulle has emphasised that Somalia has transitioned from foundational planning to establishing robust, highly functional disaster response mechanisms, underscoring the critical necessity of enhanced institutional frameworks to address overlapping challenges including prolonged drought, localised security conflicts, and escalating climate effects.

UN Warns of Severe Humanitarian Conditions

George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia and Humanitarian Coordinator, warned that Somalia continues to grapple with drought, food insecurity, and severe malnutrition, particularly in areas such as Barawe, where conditions have reached critical levels requiring immediate assistance.

Nearly one-third of Somali households remain food insecure, with internally displaced persons and rural communities bearing the heaviest burden. Market purchases account for 68% of food acquisition, leaving households highly exposed to price increases, and only 10% of households report having cash savings.

An estimated 6.5 million people in Somalia, roughly a third of the population, are expected to face severe hunger in 2026, according to WFP data. WFP estimates that 1.84 million children in Somalia are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026[reference:2].

Call for Strengthened Coordination

Conway called for stronger cooperation between the government, humanitarian agencies, and civil society to accelerate the delivery of life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable populations. The forum is expected to produce actionable recommendations to improve the effectiveness and reach of humanitarian operations across Somalia.

Way Forward

The Country Humanitarian Forum in Baidoa reflects growing concern among Somali authorities and international partners over the deteriorating humanitarian situation. As Somalia prepares for the El Niño season and continues to recover from prolonged drought, the effectiveness of coordinated response efforts will be critical in preventing a further escalation of the crisis.