Baidoa, Somalia – August 6, 2025
The Country Humanitarian Forum (CHF 2025), organized by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), officially opened today in Baidoa, the interim capital of the South West State. The high-level forum convenes under the theme: “Driving Localized, Inclusive, and Resilient Humanitarian Action Amid Rising Needs in Somalia.”

The Acting President and Speaker of the South West State House of Representatives, Mr. Ali Said Fiqi, inaugurated the forum, calling on all stakeholders to prioritize homegrown solutions to the country’s recurring humanitarian crises.

“Somalia must begin to shift from dependency on foreign aid by investing in community-driven, sustainable projects such as agriculture, water infrastructure, and livelihoods. But above all, peace must remain at the center of our collective mission,” Speaker Fiqi said during his keynote address.

CHF 2025 aims to create a collaborative space for dialogue and coordination among humanitarian actors, government institutions, and development partners. Key discussions focus on strengthening Somalia’s capacity to respond to emergencies, addressing funding gaps, enhancing coordination mechanisms, and reinforcing the role of local institutions in humanitarian response.

The forum brings together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from the Somali Federal Government, the South West State Government, Federal Member States’ humanitarian ministers, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, diplomatic missions, private sector leaders, and civil society organizations.

With Somalia facing the growing impacts of climate change, recurring droughts, displacement, and food insecurity, CHF 2025 marks a critical moment to galvanize coordinated and locally-driven humanitarian action.