UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Somalia to witness the dire humanitarian crisis and called for international support. Almost half of Somalia’s population, around 8.25 million people, are in need of lifesaving humanitarian and protection assistance due to protracted conflict and five consecutive years of poor rainy seasons. The country is also grappling with COVID-19 and insecurity. The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to meet Somalia’s needs requires $2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people. So far, only 15% of the funding has been secured. The UN chief met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and some members of his cabinet and discussed wider state-building goals, such as fighting terrorism, advancing peace and security, and increasing collaboration between the federal government and federal member states. Guterres urged the international community to step up support for Somalia’s stabilization and development and the fight against Al-Shabaab. He also met with Somali civil society organizations, including representatives of women’s affairs and empowerment, climate change, persons with disabilities, youth, and marginalized groups, to learn about their work and explore how the UN can support them. Later in the evening, he attended an Iftar with members of the Federal Government and representatives of the international community.
In addition to his meetings with government officials and civil society representatives, the UN Secretary-General also visited a local hospital and a school in Baidoa to witness firsthand the impact of the humanitarian crisis on the country’s health and education sectors. During his visit, he called for increased support to strengthen these essential services, which have been severely affected by the ongoing conflict and climate shocks. The UN chief also emphasized the need for a long-term approach to address Somalia’s challenges and build a more resilient future for its people.
