HARGEISA, Somaliland (Horn post) — Somaliland Vice President and Acting President, Mohamed Ali Aw Cabdi, today received senior officials from various United Nations (UN) agencies operating in Somaliland, including heads from the UN Coordination Office, UNICEF, WFP, UNOCHA, UNFPA, and UNRCO, at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa.
During the courtesy visit, Vice President Mohamed Ali thanked the UN representatives for their ongoing engagement and commended their visible role in humanitarian aid, social development, and state-building efforts across Somaliland.
He emphasized that the partnership between Somaliland and UN agencies is rooted in mutual trust and longstanding cooperation.
A major focus of the discussions was the severe drought affecting all regions of Somaliland, which has critically impacted rural communities and pastoralists. Vice President Mohamed Ali highlighted the drought’s consequences, including water shortages, food insecurity, large-scale displacement, and substantial livestock losses—the backbone of Somaliland’s economy.
The Vice President urged UN agencies to actively participate in emergency response operations, calling for the rapid provision of humanitarian aid, including food, clean water, medical supplies, health services, and livestock support, to alleviate the escalating crisis. He stressed that the Somaliland government is fully prepared to collaborate with UN agencies to accelerate aid delivery, underscoring that addressing the drought requires coordinated, immediate action.
UN officials, led by Tedla Damte, Head of the UN Coordination Office in Somaliland, praised the Vice President and his administration for their efforts in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and the demobilization of large numbers of militia forces—initiatives that have significantly contributed to national stability and security.
Damte acknowledged the challenges posed by the current global economic downturn, which has constrained UN operations, but reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continue supporting Somaliland’s government and people within its capacity, particularly in humanitarian assistance and social development. He confirmed that UN agencies operating in Somaliland will contribute to drought relief efforts as resources permit.
Concluding the meeting, Vice President Mohamed Ali reiterated Somaliland’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with UN agencies, ensuring continued support for humanitarian, development, and state-building initiatives across the country.
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Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
Hargeisa Somaliland
