Image Credit: Xinhua News Agency
China has provided 1,300 tonnes of food aid to Somalia’s national disaster agency as part of ongoing efforts to help the country manage the impact of expected prolonged dry spells. The aid, delivered on Thursday in Mogadishu, aims to support Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) in mitigating the effects of an anticipated La Nina drought.
Chinese Ambassador to Somalia, Wang Yu, conveyed China’s continued commitment to assisting Somalia in times of crisis, emphasising the importance of solidarity in the face of challenging climatic conditions. According to a statement from SoDMA, Wang highlighted China’s history of supporting Somalia during similar circumstances, underscoring the need for ongoing cooperation to address humanitarian challenges.
SoDMA Commissioner Mahamud Moallim expressed appreciation to China, noting that the food aid would provide crucial relief to millions of Somalis suffering from severe food insecurity. He acknowledged that the assistance arrives at a critical moment when climate change continues to destabilise the country’s food supply, with cycles of droughts and floods exacerbating the hunger crisis.
Experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have warned that Somalia is facing a high probability of below-normal rainfall during the October-November-December season due to La Nina conditions. Forecasts suggest over a 50 percent likelihood of inadequate rainfall, coupled with a more than 60 percent chance of delayed rains in the southern and central regions, worsening the nation’s agricultural challenges.
The ongoing drought has severely impacted agricultural production, leaving the country among the most vulnerable to climate-induced food shortages. Relief efforts like the recent Chinese donation are seen as vital in preventing the worsening of humanitarian conditions in the coming months.
This latest assistance underscores the importance of international support in bolstering Somalia’s capacity to weather climate-induced crises, as the nation braces for yet another period of hardship due to unpredictable weather patterns.