Guterres calls on donors to ‘step up’ drought response in Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Stabilisation and post Al-Shabaab. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for an ‘urgent’ international response to the drought situation in Somalia.

Speaking during a joint media conference with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the UN chief said Somalia was suffering the effects of climate change yet it hardly contributes to global warming.

“I call on donors and the international community to step up their support; to urgently fund the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan which is currently just 15% funded,” Guterres said.

“Somalis make virtually no contribution to climate change, the Somalis are among the greatest victims. Nearly 5 million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity and of course, rising prices make matters worse,” the UN chief noted.

Guterres also said the UN stands with Somalia for peace, security and sustainable development.

On his part, President Mohamud called for UN support in stabilising newly liberated regions in the country. “We look to the UN to increase critical investment in these areas as these people, our citizens have been denied access to civil services for a long time,” President Mohamud said.

He also noted that his administration was closely working with the UN and other partners to respond to the ongoing drought, economic reforms, and lifting of the arms embargo.

President Mohamud will be hosting Guterres for the Iftar dinner this evening.