Hargeisa, Somaliland – Somaliland’s Minister of Planning and National Development, Kaltun Sheikh Hassan Abdi, has reported steady progress in drought relief operations despite persistent water shortages in the eastern regions.

Speaking in her capacity as a member of the National Drought Response Committee, Kaltun outlined key interventions during this week’s cabinet meeting chaired by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa.

According to her briefing, aid distribution is continuing across affected communities, with water trucking operations helping to ease immediate shortages. Rehabilitation of existing wells is also underway, alongside the drilling of new boreholes in Eastern Sanaag, one of the hardest-hit areas.

While recent rainfall has been recorded in some eastern districts, the minister cautioned that it has not been sufficient to meet the needs of communities facing prolonged dry conditions. She emphasized that widespread water scarcity remains one of the most pressing challenges, requiring sustained government coordination and resource mobilization.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that vulnerable households in drought-affected areas continue to receive emergency assistance while longer-term solutions are pursued.