Under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and the leadership of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), the Country Humanitarian Forum convened in Mogadishu to address critical humanitarian challenges facing Somalia. Recognized as a critical disaster management platform for coordination within Somalia’s humanitarian architecture, the forum brought together a diverse and influential group of participants, including the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS), Banadir Regional Administration (BRA), Ambassadors, United Nations (UN) Agencies, National and International NGOs, Donor delegations, representatives of civil society, and the private sector.
The Forum:
- Acknowledges the Anticipated La Niña Impact: The forum expressed concern over the anticipated La Niña weather phenomenon, with Somalia facing La Niña conditions and reduced rainfall in Deyr 2024, which may persist into 2025. The most affected areas may include most parts of Somalia. Rural pastoral and Agro-pastoral livelihoods are at high risk of elevated food insecurity due to reduced access to water, low production, limited income, and severe weather conditions across Somalia. It was emphasized that early preparedness, including robust contingency planning and resource mobilization, is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects on vulnerable communities.
- Emphasizes Prevention of Aid Diversion: The forum underscored the critical importance of safeguarding humanitarian aid from diversion and misuse. Participants agreed on the need to strengthen oversight mechanisms, enhance transparency, and foster collaboration between government agencies and humanitarian organizations. Discussions focused on reviewing policy and legislation, implementing best practices, and leveraging technology to track and monitor aid distribution, ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need.
- Addresses Challenges in Humanitarian Service Delivery: The forum identified key obstacles hindering the delivery of humanitarian services, including logistical barriers, security concerns, and bureaucratic delays. The importance of a multi-stakeholder approach was stressed, with a particular focus on improving access to hard-to-reach areas, enhancing the safety of humanitarian workers, and streamlining administrative processes. The Deputy Prime Minister urged all parties to collaborate closely to overcome these challenges and ensure timely and efficient delivery of aid.
- Reaffirms Commitments and Next Steps:
- The government and humanitarian partners committed to strengthening coordination and communication channels to enhance response efforts.
- A task force will be established to monitor the situation and provide regular updates on La Niña’s impact and response measures.
- Efforts will be intensified to implement robust anti-diversion measures, including capacity-building for local partners on compliance and accountability standards.
Appeals for a coordinated response among all stakeholders to tackle the challenges of aid diversion and adapt to the climate conditions, ensuring the delivery of timely and effective humanitarian support.
This communiqué expresses the forum’s collective resolve to address the challenges of aid diversion and climate impact effectively. Through coordinated efforts and increased support, we aim to better serve the needs of vulnerable populations in Somalia.
Announced the next Country Humanitarian Coordination Forum is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 3rd of December 2024, from 9 AM – 1 PM.
Please download the communique in this link below
Communiqué of the Country Humanitarian Forum -3rd September 2024