Climate Change Threatens Central Somalia Towns, Minister Says

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Environment and Climate Change Minister Bashir Mohamed Jama has said the federal government of Somalia will accelerate climate adaptation and environmental protection programmes after an assessment visit to Galmudug state highlighted growing damage to communities and infrastructure.

The minister toured Hobyo, Hinbarwaaqo and El-huur towns, where officials say climate variability and environmental degradation are increasingly disrupting livelihoods in central Somalia.

In the coastal town of Hobyo, the minister inspected neighbourhoods threatened by advancing sand dunes that have buried homes and displaced families, a problem local authorities say has worsened in recent years due to climate change and land degradation.

Minister Jama met state officials, community leaders and residents to assess the scale of the damage and discuss urgent needs, describing the situation as a clear example of how climate pressures are reshaping Somalia’s landscape and increasing vulnerability.

He said the federal government would work with Galmudug authorities to roll out targeted adaptation measures and mitigation programmes aimed at protecting settlements and supporting affected communities.

Officials said the visit is expected to feed into coordinated federal and state responses focused on long-term environmental resilience and safeguarding livelihoods in climate-affected areas of central Somalia.