In Mogadishu, the UN chief urged ‘massive international support’ for Somalia
“I’m still here to alert on the need for greater international supportbecause of the humanitarian problems that the country is facing, massive humanitarian support in relation to the development of Somalia’s security forces, and massive humanitarian support in the stabilization and development of the country,” said Secretary-General António Guterres in Somali. capital, Mogadishu.
“Although Somalis have made no contribution to climate change, Somalis are among the biggest victims. Nearly five million people experience high levels of acute food insecurity.
“And so, rising prices make matters worse. Therefore, I call on donors and I call on the international community to extend their support,” he added.
The UN chief made the comments at a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia, federal government premises, shortly after landing in Mogadishu. He last visited Somalia six years ago.
The million you need
Later on Tuesday, with the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, who also serves as the Deputy Special Representative for the country, the Secretary-General met with some Somalis affected by the country’s humanitarian crisis during a visit to a camp for the interior. displaced people in Baidoa, the largest city in South West Somalia.
He met with two different families there.
The first traveled 105 kilometers by foot and donkey, to find shelter in Baidoa last year, after all his livestock was destroyed during the ongoing drought. A second family did the same after their livestock died, and they traveled 70 kilometers to find help.
‘Get a lot more support’
“It is time for the international community to Mobilize much more support, support for Somalis to guarantee the safety of their people and fight terrorismsupport for Somalis to solve the humanitarian crisis that can be witnessed in a camp like this.
“And it’s support for the Somali people creating conditions to build the resilience of their population and to create a way of development for the Somali people,” Mr. Guterres said after the meetings.
“In the Holy Month of Ramadan,” he added, “we need to have a donation from the world that is Absolutely necessary to accept these people that I have seen in this campand that they live in such strange conditions.”
Thousands of people have been displaced in Somalia.
Millions need rescue aid
Currently, almost half of Somalia’s population – 8.25 million people – in need of humanitarian assistance, rescue and protection due to climate shocks, which include five consecutive years of poor rainy seasons, and prolonged conflict, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Of those, some 3.8 million are displaced, and nearly five million people experience high levels of acute food insecurity. About 1.8 million children lack solid food, and eight million people lack access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Two-thirds of the population in drought-prone areas do not have access to basic health care.
2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to meet Somalia’s needs $2.6 billion to help 7.6 million people – but its funding has remained at around 15 per cent, until now.
At a joint press conference in Mogadishu, the UN chief called on the international community to “urgently fund” the Programme.
“The Somali people deserve the solidarity of the international community, and they deserve to avoid famine and displacement, to save lives, to avoid famine,” he said.
Secretary-General António Guterres (left) meets Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Support for state housing
Before the press conference, the Secretary General met with the President and some members of his cabinet and advisers to discuss other issues, including the company’s broader goals, with the Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho, who also serves. as Special Representative on the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
“The president and I discussed it Special efforts by the government to combat terrorism and advance peace and security for alland we underlined the importance of an ever-stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and [Federal Member] States,” said Mr. Guterres.
“Federal and [Federal Member] The state authorities can count on our support for further progress state enterprise,” he continued, “and we are particularly encouraged by the recent agreement that has been established in relation to various issues of energy sharing.”
The UN leader also called on the international community to provide support beyond the humanitarian community, to help Somalis “be able to launch a new process of stabilization and development in the country and tobuild its capabilities to fight Al-Shabaab with more efficiency than before.”
In recent months, Somali security forces, reinforced by regional forces, have carried out military operations against Al-Shabaab in the Federal States of Hirshabeelle and Galmudug, and operations are expected to gradually move to the regions another of Somalia.
Meet the community
Also on Tuesday, the UN chief met with representatives of Somali civil society organizations working in areas such as women’s issues and empowerment, climate change, people with disabilities, youth and organizations set aside to hear first-hand about their work and how the world can do it. support them.
Later that evening with members of the Federal Government and representatives of the international community, he went an iftarfood prepared for the evening to break the daily fast that Muslims do in Ramadan.
The UN chief started his tradition of paying solidarity visits – which also includes fasting – during Ramadan while he was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, before taking the UN top job in 2017. He previously said that Joining Muslims fasting in Ramadan has, for many years, shown him the “real face of Islam”.
In his press conference in Mogadishu today, he noted that Somalia presents Ramadan’sa timeless message of renewal and hope. “
“In these challenging times, I want to praise your strength and energy and also support the efforts of the United Nations“Mr. Guterres said. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Somalia and the Somali Government – for peace, for security and for sustainable development.”
