Baidoa,Somalia – August 6, 2025 — In a compelling address at the 2025 Somalia Humanitarian Forum (CHF), United Nations Special Envoy and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr. George Conway, called for urgent and unified action to tackle the escalating humanitarian crisis gripping the country.

Mr. Conway highlighted the gravity of the situation, stressing that millions of Somalis continue to face severe hardships due to persistent drought, displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to essential services. He warned that declining levels of humanitarian aid funding are putting critical services at risk, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of already-struggling communities.

He emphasized that the humanitarian response cannot rest solely on the shoulders of traditional aid actors. Instead, he called for a broader coalition of stakeholders—including UN agencies, international and local NGOs, the Somali government, civil society, the private sector, and the Somali diaspora—to work in concert toward sustainable solutions.

“We must move beyond short-term fixes and invest in long-term resilience,” Mr. Conway said. “That means aligning humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts. It means drawing on the strengths of all sectors of Somali society and the international community.”

The Somalia Humanitarian Forum 2025 convened key stakeholders to assess current challenges, align strategies, and renew commitments to delivering life-saving assistance. Participants also discussed ways to enhance coordination and mobilize resources amid competing global crises.

While acknowledging the complex and evolving context in Somalia, Mr. Conway struck a hopeful tone, emphasizing that with coordinated action and adequate resources, it is possible to ease suffering and build a more resilient future for the Somali people.

Background:
Somalia continues to grapple with overlapping humanitarian emergencies, including prolonged drought, armed conflict, and economic instability. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 6.9 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite ongoing efforts, funding for the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan remains critically low, jeopardizing key operations.