The land across Somalia has learned the language of waiting. Wells sink lower, fields pale under a sun that lingers too long, and the wind carries more dust than promise. In villages and towns alike, mornings begin with calculation — how far to walk for water, which animals can be spared, what can be postponed another day. Drought, when it arrives, does not announce itself loudly. It settles in, patient and persistent.
Against this quiet strain, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for joint efforts to confront the deepening drought, urging federal institutions, regional authorities, humanitarian partners, and local communities to move in closer coordination. The directive comes as large parts of the country face worsening water shortages and food insecurity, driven by erratic rainfall and prolonged dry seasons that have become increasingly familiar.
The appeal emphasizes cooperation rather than command. National agencies are expected to align with state administrations, while humanitarian organizations are encouraged to synchronize relief operations with government planning. The aim is to ensure that water provision, food assistance, and health services reach vulnerable populations before the dry spell tightens further. In Somalia, where distance and insecurity can turn logistics into obstacles, coordination itself becomes a form of relief.
Drought has long shaped Somali life, but recent years have tested resilience more sharply. Past dry cycles have displaced millions, strained pastoral livelihoods, and placed pressure on already fragile systems. This time, officials stress preparedness — mapping at-risk areas, pre-positioning supplies, and accelerating early-response mechanisms. The focus is not only on emergency aid, but on minimizing displacement and protecting livelihoods before losses become irreversible.
The president’s call also gestures toward shared responsibility. Climate stress does not respect administrative boundaries, and neither can the response. By urging joint action, the government signals an understanding that drought management depends as much on governance and trust as it does on rainfall. Local leaders, elders, and community networks remain essential links between policy and practice, translating plans into action on the ground.
As the dry season stretches on, the outcome will be measured in ordinary things: water drawn, animals sustained, families who remain where they are. The order for coordinated action does not summon rain, but it seeks to steady the response to its absence. In a country accustomed to endurance, the hope is that alignment — across offices, regions, and partners — can soften drought’s quiet grip before it deepens further.
AI Image Disclaimer Illustrations were created using AI tools and are not real photographs.
Sources Reuters United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ReliefWeb BBC News African Union