The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has delivered emergency food assistance to vulnerable households living in drought-affected areas of Hirshabelle State.
The assistance consisted of dry food rations and was provided to a total of 5,705 households. Of these, 2,009 households in Jalalaqsi District, Hiran Region, and 3,696 households in Balcad District, Middle Shabelle Region, benefited from the distribution.
This support was implemented under the third phase of a humanitarian assistance project aimed at helping communities severely affected by prolonged drought conditions. The project was financially supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Risk Capacity (ARC).
Somalia is currently facing an urgent humanitarian emergency following the failure of consecutive Deyr and Gu rainy seasons, a situation expected to continue into 2025. The poor rainfall has led to crop failure, loss of livestock, water shortages, and increased food insecurity, placing thousands of families at risk.
Through this intervention, SoDMA continues to play a critical role in coordinating and delivering life-saving assistance to affected populations. However, the scale of needs on the ground far exceeds available resources, highlighting the urgent need for additional humanitarian funding and sustained support to prevent further deterioration of the situation.