Mogadishu, Somalia – In a high-level meeting aimed at addressing Somalia’s escalating climate crisis, Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), met with Somalia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Isaak Mohamud Mursal, to explore inclusive, community-driven solutions to climate shocks and conflict-induced displacement.
The discussion, which took place in Mogadishu, focused on empowering the Somali private sector, harnessing the potential of the diaspora, and advancing local initiatives to build long-term resilience across vulnerable communities.
“The challenges are great, but so is the shared will for change,” acknowledged Daniels.
Somalia remains on the frontlines of climate change, enduring repeated cycles of drought, flash floods, and resource-driven tensions that have uprooted millions and undermined development progress.
The ongoing humanitarian crises—intensified by erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells—have pushed communities into deep vulnerability, especially in rural and displacement-prone regions.
Daniels’ visit marks a renewed commitment by IOM and Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collaborate on sustainable, Somali-led climate adaptation strategies.
Both sides emphasized the importance of integrating local knowledge, private investment, and diaspora expertise to scale up environmental solutions, including climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water access, and community peacebuilding mechanisms.
Deputy Minister Mursal reaffirmed the Somali government’s focus on building climate-resilient systems that align with national priorities and international partnerships.
“We must invest in our people’s capacity to recover and adapt—not just respond—to every climate shock,” he said.
This dialogue sets the stage for deeper engagement between international partners and Somali institutions, with a spotlight on durable solutions that empower communities, reduce dependency on emergency aid, and drive locally rooted transformation.
The momentum for resilience in Somalia continues to grow—grounded in innovation, solidarity, and a determination to confront one of the defining challenges of our time.