Mogadishu, Somalia – The Commissioner of the National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahamuud Moallim, officially opened the Re-imagining Humanitarian Partnerships Conference in Mogadishu today, bringing together key stakeholders to explore new and more effective ways to deliver humanitarian aid in Somalia.
The high-level conference, held under the theme “Enhancing Relief Through Stronger Collaboration”, seeks to strengthen coordination and redefine the relationship between the Somali government and its humanitarian partners. Participants include representatives from UN agencies, international NGOs, civil society organizations, donor governments, and federal and state authorities.
In his opening remarks, Moallim emphasized the urgent need for a shift in humanitarian response mechanisms in Somalia, given the increasingly complex challenges posed by climate change, insecurity, and displacement. He called for a more integrated, locally-driven, and sustainable approach that places affected communities at the center of decision-making.
“This conference is not just about coordination; it’s about transformation. We must build partnerships that are equitable, transparent, and rooted in mutual accountability,” said Moallim.
The conference comes at a critical time for Somalia, where millions continue to face acute food insecurity, drought, and the aftermath of conflict and natural disasters. Recent assessments show that nearly half the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, with children and internally displaced people most at risk.
Discussions during the multi-day event will focus on strengthening government leadership in humanitarian coordination, localizing aid delivery and empowering Somali NGOs, enhancing joint needs assessments and data sharing, and building resilience through development-humanitarian-peace nexus approaches.
UN agencies welcomed the Somali government’s leadership in convening the conference, noting that it reflects growing national ownership and responsibility in disaster response and humanitarian planning.
The Re-imagining Humanitarian Partnerships Conference is expected to culminate in a joint declaration and action framework aimed at reshaping the country’s humanitarian architecture and improving aid effectiveness in the years ahead.
The event also underscores Somalia’s commitment to aligning humanitarian efforts with the National Development Plan and transitioning from short-term emergency responses to long-term recovery and resilience-building.