Baidoa, South West State – August 6, 2025 — The Country Humanitarian Forum (CHF 2025) opened today in Baidoa with a compelling keynote address from the Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahamud Moallim Abdule, who outlined the scale of Somalia’s humanitarian crisis and called for urgent, Somali-led action to address it.

Speaking at the high-level gathering, Commissioner Mahamud painted a sobering picture of the country’s humanitarian landscape. He spotlighted the devastating drought currently gripping the Awdal region, which has left more than 600,000 people in desperate need of assistance. He also highlighted the continuing displacement crises in the Hiran, Middle Shabelle, and Gedo regions, driven by conflict and insecurity.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to respond to the crisis, announcing a $500,000 emergency aid fund. Of this, $200,000 has already been contributed by the Banadir Regional Administration. While acknowledging this as a vital step, he stressed that it was not nearly enough to meet the growing needs on the ground.

“We need our businesses, our diaspora, and our local organizations to step forward. The time for passive observation is over,” he urged.

Commissioner Mahamud also called for a paradigm shift in the way humanitarian aid is coordinated and delivered in Somalia. He advocated for inclusive, locally driven solutions that prioritize Somali leadership in planning and implementation, supported by stronger coordination mechanisms between government agencies, civil society, and international partners.

Concluding his address, the Commissioner thanked all stakeholders for their commitment and participation in CHF 2025, emphasizing the importance of translating discussions into tangible action.

He also announced plans for an upcoming meeting that will aim to deepen collaboration between local actors and international humanitarian agencies, with the goal of building a more resilient and self-reliant humanitarian system in Somalia.