Hargeisa, Somaliland — Somaliland’s Vice President Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, in his role as Chair of the National Drought Response Committee, briefed the 28th session of the Council of Ministers on the country’s intensifying drought and the government’s coordinated relief strategy.
The high-level Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro on Thursday, received a situational overview of humanitarian needs and response priorities following the Committee’s inaugural meeting earlier in the day.
Vice President Aw Abdi outlined urgent measures to address the worsening crisis, emphasizing the immediate dispatch of life-saving assistance — including water, food, and medical supplies — to the most severely affected regions. Operational task forces are being established at both the regional and district levels to streamline logistics, ensure accountability, and accelerate response efforts.
A critical component of the strategy is the development of a centralized data management system to track needs and aid distribution in real-time, enabling more targeted and transparent interventions.
Recognizing the scale of the crisis, the Vice President issued a formal appeal to the international community, United Nations agencies, and Somaliland’s bilateral and multilateral partners. The government urged rapid mobilization of humanitarian support to prevent further deterioration of living conditions and safeguard vulnerable populations.
With many communities facing the cumulative effects of failed rainy seasons, displacement, and rising food insecurity, officials underscored the urgency of international solidarity.
The National Drought Response Committee will convene regularly to assess progress and adapt strategies in line with evolving on-the-ground realities.