GAROWE, Somalia — Puntland’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ubax Abdirashid, has levelled sharp accusations against the federal Disaster Management Agency of Somalia (SoDMA), alleging that it secretly deployed aid organisations into the region without coordinating with Puntland authorities.
In an interview with Shabelle Media, Minister Ubax said SoDMA had “covertly” sent NGOs to operate in Puntland without informing the ministry or any of the regional bodies responsible for overseeing humanitarian activities.
She added that the Puntland government was “actively investigating” the matter and would take “all necessary legal measures” to prevent what she described as interference and “irregular practices” that bypass established administrative procedures.
Puntland has long insisted that all international and local aid agencies must follow a clear government-approved framework to prevent overlap, confusion and potential misuse of humanitarian operations.
SoDMA has so far not responded publicly to the allegations.
The dispute comes as Puntland recently declared a drought emergency affecting nearly one million people, appealing for urgent humanitarian assistance to support communities hit by severe shortages of water and food.
