UK announces additional $8m drought relief to Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS/MOGADISHU: In an effort to cushion drought-stricken Somalia from further effects of famine, UK’s Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, Nick Dyer has announced an additional $8 million (£5.5 million) package of UK support to deal with the effects of the drought.

Dyer, together with the UK Ambassador to Somalia, held a meeting Sunday with Somalia’s Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, where they discussed the severity of the drought on the humanitarian needs of the Somali People.

Dyer warned that if the situation is not acted upon fast, then extreme losses and further instability will be felt in the country.

“The lives of people in Somalia are on the line. We know from 2017 when we and partners acted early, lives were saved. We can and must provide the assistance that the most vulnerable need and save lives,” said Dyer.

The current donation is an addition to the $10 million announced by the UK’s Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford in January 2022.