South West State Launches Humanitarian Forum Focused On Drought Recovery and El Niño Preparedness

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BAIDOA: South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has opened Somalia’s Humanitarian Forum (CHF) in Baidoa, bringing together government officials, aid agencies and international partners to coordinate responses to the country’s humanitarian challenges.

The forum, organised by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), is attended by ministers responsible for humanitarian affairs from Somalia’s federal member states, representatives of the United Nations, international and local humanitarian organisations, development partners and civil society groups.

This year’s meeting is focused on strengthening recovery efforts following successive droughts and improving preparedness for the anticipated 2026 El Niño weather pattern, which forecasters warn could increase the risk of flooding in parts of Somalia.

Speaking at the opening session, organisers said the forum aims to enhance coordination between government institutions and humanitarian partners, while promoting early action and long-term solutions to improve the resilience of vulnerable communities.

Somalia remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, with recurring droughts and floods displacing millions of people and leaving many communities dependent on humanitarian assistance.

Government officials say improving disaster preparedness and investing in climate resilience are critical to reducing the impact of increasingly frequent weather-related shocks.