A New Dawn for Humanitarian Action in Somalia

In a landmark step towards redefining Somalia’s humanitarian landscape, the Country Humanitarian Forum (CHF) convened in Baidoa, the interim capital of the Southwest State. This pivotal gathering, held on August 6, 2025, brought together key stakeholders to address the nation’s complex crises and chart a new course centered on Somali-led, inclusive, and resilient solutions. This communique outlines the forum’s key findings, commitments, and recommendations, signaling a collective resolve to move beyond reactive aid and towards sustainable, long-term development and self-reliance.

Communique of the Country Humanitarian Forum (CHF)

Baidoa, Southwest State of Somalia

6th August 2025

Somalia continues to grapple with complex and overlapping crises, from recurrent climate-induced disasters to conflict-driven displacement and persistent funding gaps. Against this backdrop, the Country Humanitarian Forum (CHF), convened in Baidoa on 6th August 2025, marked a pivotal step toward advancing Somali-led solutions. Under the theme “Driving Localized, Inclusive, and Resilient Humanitarian Action,” the forum underscored the urgent need to position Somali actors at the forefront of both resource mobilization and implementation, shifting from reactive responses toward sustainable, locally driven approaches. As H.E. Ali Said Fiqi, Speaker of the Parliament and Acting President of SWS, rightly stated, “We are committed to moving beyond reactive aid and toward long-term stability and self-reliance. But we cannot do this alone.”

The cornerstone of long-term stability and self-reliance lies in strong partnerships among the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS), Banadir Regional Administration (BRA), the Somali Diaspora, the Private Sector, and both Local and International Organizations. As SoDMA Commissioner H.E. Mahamud Moallim Abdulle emphasized, “The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) is committed to strengthening coordination across all actors, ensuring accountability, and bridging gaps between global commitments and local action. This Forum is not about speeches; it is about solutions.”

The success of this Forum lies in turning commitments into action, and pledges into practice, ensuring that the humanitarian landscape looks fundamentally different, one that is locally driven. In his remarks, the DSRSG/RC/HC George Conway, said “We need to continue investing in national and local response capabilities, and shift ownership and responsibility back to national structures as the state-building process advances across Somalia.”

The Forum:

• Presented an in-depth overview of the current drought situation, including preparedness strategies, ongoing humanitarian responses, and urgent actions needed for recovery. It was noted that 2.5 million people are residing in areas classified as severely or moderately drought-affected across 26 districts, with 887,000 in severely affected areas. The estimated drought People in Need (PIN) stands at 926,000. While the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) initially targeted 920,000 people, reprioritization reduced this to 162,000 across only ten districts. Response coverage remains below 25% in most affected areas, underscoring the need to integrate long-term resilience and preparedness into humanitarian frameworks.
• Discussed the funding landscape, with participants noting that the severe lack of available funding is exacerbating humanitarian needs. The Forum stressed the importance of placing Somali actors at the forefront of both fundraising and implementation to break the cycle of reactive responses. As major donors face increasing constraints, the Federal Government of Somalia pledged $500,000 and the Banadir Regional Administration contributed $200,000 to address drought in Awdal region. The Commissioner of SoDMA issued a call to the private sector and diaspora, underscoring a critical shift in that local resources must play a central role in filling the funding gap.
• During a panel discussion on accepting funding realities, the Chambers of Commerce committed to contributing 3% of their share from port revenues to humanitarian efforts that could unlock millions of dollars annually.
• Representatives from the Global Diaspora Community emphasized the need to move beyond reacting to emergencies and towards long-term investments in areas such as water infrastructure, renewable energy, and climate-smart agriculture.
• The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) advocated for the regulation of the National Disaster Management Fund to centralize and streamline domestic resource mobilization, ensuring predictability during crises. Stakeholders also encouraged the Ministry of Finance to establish a dedicated budget line for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and collaborate closely with SoDMA to institutionalize the Disaster Management Fund.
• Emphasized the critical role of local NGOs, community-based organizations, and sub-national institutions in leading program design; the private sector’s role in financing innovations such as drought-resistant seeds and renewable energy; and the government’s responsibility to enforce accountability through SoDMA’s coordination role.
• The Somali Bankers Association and private sector actors, including the Hormuud Salaam Foundation, affirmed their collective commitment to coordinated, principled, and resilient humanitarian actions. They urged all stakeholders to remain proactive, resourceful, and inclusive in shaping Somalia’s humanitarian landscape amid compounding crises, emphasizing the importance of encouraging localization to ensure that aid is effective and sustainable.
• Extends appreciation and thanks to the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for their generous support in enabling this important forum. Their continued support has been instrumental in advancing humanitarian coordination across Somalia.
• Takes note of the opening statements of H.E. Ali Said Fiqi, Speaker of the Parliament and Acting President of Southwest State, H.E. Mahamud Moallim, Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), and H.E. George Conway, DSRSG/RC/HC. The Forum also acknowledges the valuable participation of Ministers from the Federal Member States, the NGO Consortium, the Chambers of Commerce, Civil Society Organizations, the Somali Bankers Association, and the Hormuud Salaam Foundation.

Key Recommendations:

1. From Pledge to Practice: The promised 3% allocation by Chamber of Commerce must move from concept to reality to ensure these funds directly strengthen frontline humanitarian responses.
2. Diaspora as Strategic Partners: The establishment of formal diaspora coordination platforms, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will channel diaspora support beyond emergency aid toward long-term resilience initiatives such as water infrastructure, renewable energy and climate adaptation.
3. A Fund for the Future: The National Disaster Management Fund must transition from proposal to policy, with binding commitments at both federal and state levels to create a sustainable financing mechanism for crisis response.

Looking ahead, a Forum on Re-Imagining Humanitarian Partnerships: A Somali-Led Forum for Inclusive Action is tentatively scheduled for September 2025. This forum will provide a crucial platform to further advance inclusive, locally driven humanitarian partnerships across Somalia.

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