Somalia president asks for urgent aid to deal with drought

James Archibald / Cape Town, Nov 15 (DHA) - Somalian President Hassan Sheik Mohamud has asked the global community and wider Somali diaspora for urgent humanitarian assistance in dealing with the effects of a drought that has gripped parts of the country.

Mahamud said the drought had widely affected the country, but some areas were worse than others, especially in the north-western and north-eastern regions of Somaliland and Puntland. Describing the drought as “very critical, he said many livestock had been lost and people had begun to die in both areas.

“I appeal to the Somali people, wherever they are all over the world to help and stand shoulder to shoulder with their suffering Somali people who lack food and water due to the drought in the country. The government will also take an important part. The Gu, main rainy season, season has passed without rains with earlier rainy seasons failing. So, the Somali people need to help one another and help their brothers and sisters with food and water.” Mohamud said in a statement issued yesterday.

“I also appeal to the international community to immediately come to the aid of the Somali people in the affected areas before the situation gets worsened, it is time that an actual interference is made and aid is delivered very urgently in particular drought stricken areas of the country,” he added in the statement.

The drought is the result of delayed seasonal rains.

In the statement, it was noted that Somali people all over the world had previously helped in collecting donations to help the country deal with droughts. It said the government would also make “every effort to ensure it contributes to the aid”.