Mogadishu, Somalia — The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mohamud Moalim Abdulle, held an important meeting today with religious scholars, business leaders, and representatives from major telecommunication and banking companies to discuss an urgent response for people affected by the drought in the Awdal region.

The meeting, held at the SoDMA headquarters, aimed to accelerate community and institutional cooperation to strengthen humanitarian support for residents in the affected areas. Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle detailed the severe situation in Awdal, noting that the Federal Government had already allocated $700,000 for the humanitarian response. He appealed to the country’s business community to match the government’s contribution to jointly assist those suffering from the drought.

The religious scholars present urged business leaders to unite and fulfill their charitable duty, reminding them that such support is both a religious and humanitarian obligation. All participants, including business leaders and scholars, pledged their full participation in the relief efforts and committed to continued cooperation with SoDMA. They also requested a follow-up meeting to discuss the next steps and how to raise additional funds for the people in the region.

Since its reactivation in the second half of 2022, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has played a pivotal role in responding to various disasters. Its efforts have included addressing the devastating floods that hit large parts of Somalia in 2023, tackling recurring droughts, ensuring food security, and providing aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs). The agency has become the cornerstone of the government’s disaster response, playing a vital role in protecting the lives and property of citizens.