MOGADISHU – The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) and the United Nations convened a high-level meeting in Mogadishu to coordinate humanitarian efforts and finalize the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan.

The session was jointly led by Mr. Mahmoud Moallim Abdulle, Chairman of the agency, and Mr. George Conway, the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, with senior officials from OCHA participating.

Held at SoDMA’s headquarters, the discussions centered on reviewing finalized humanitarian needs assessments and strategically planning the 2026 response to ensure comprehensive coverage of the country’s most pressing needs.

Officials highlighted the concerning decline in international humanitarian funding, warning that increasing financial constraints could significantly impede the capacity of aid agencies to support Somalia’s most vulnerable populations.

Participants stressed the critical importance of strong collaboration between Somali authorities and international partners to effectively manage the crisis and implement strategies aimed at reducing the long-term effects of drought.

This initiative comes as Somalia faces an unprecedented climate crisis; consecutive failed rainy seasons have diminished vital water resources and decimated livestockthe economic foundation of the nationresulting in widespread displacement.

The meeting signifies a broader initiative to reinforce the partnership between the Somali government and the United Nations, ensuring a more effective and sustainable humanitarian response to the climate shocks impacting the region.