BAIDOA, Somalia — The acting leader of Somalia’s South West State, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, on Wednesday received U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher in Baidoa for talks focused on strengthening humanitarian assistance and support for drought-affected communities.
Fletcher, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, met regional officials at the presidential palace as part of efforts to assess worsening humanitarian conditions in one of Somalia’s most vulnerable regions.
The discussions centered on expanding cooperation between South West State and the United Nations, particularly in humanitarian relief, drought response and support for displaced people living across the region.
Jibril thanked the United Nations for its visible role in supporting Somali communities and stressed the urgent need for increased emergency aid and long-term development projects to address the deepening humanitarian crisis.
“We need stronger international support to respond to the needs of displaced families and communities affected by repeated droughts,” he said, according to officials.
Fletcher said the United Nations remained committed to continuing support for Somali people, especially those living in vulnerable conditions.
He added that his visit formed part of a broader assessment of the actual needs in areas heavily affected by drought and conflict, with the aim of improving humanitarian response efforts.
Baidoa hosts one of the country’s largest populations of internally displaced people, many of whom have fled conflict, drought and food insecurity in rural areas of southern Somalia.
The meeting is part of wider efforts to strengthen humanitarian coordination and international cooperation as Somalia faces growing challenges linked to climate shocks, displacement and funding shortages for relief operations.
