Southwest Leader Urges Shift to Long-Term Aid in UN Talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BAIDOA: The interim leader of Somalia’s Southwest State has called for a shift from emergency relief to long-term development support during talks with a senior United Nations official, as the region faces ongoing drought and displacement pressures.

Jibril Abdiraashid Haji Abdi made the appeal during a meeting in Baidoa with U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, officials said.

He urged the United Nations to expand its operations to meet growing humanitarian needs, particularly among internally displaced people affected by recurring drought.

The leader acknowledged the U.N.’s continued support but stressed the need for more sustainable programmes to address the root causes of vulnerability.

Fletcher said his visit aimed to assess conditions on the ground and identify priority needs in drought- and conflict-affected areas, reaffirming the U.N.’s commitment to supporting Somalia.

Somalia is facing repeated climate shocks and displacement crises, with humanitarian agencies warning of rising needs across several regions, including South West State.