An Emirati ship carrying more than 1,000 tonnes of food and relief supplies has arrived in Somalia to support millions of people affected by the country’s worst drought in decades.
The crucial shipment was delivered to the port of Mogadishu in the African country, following directives by President Sheikh Mohamed.
The Emirates Red Crescent, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation supervised the delivery.
Authorities began distributing supplies to families in dire need and to displaced persons.
The aid will provide support for approximately 2.5 million people affected in severe droughts due to three consecutive seasons of lack of rain.
In May, President Sheikh Mohamed ordered that Dh35 million of humanitarian aid be sent to Somalia to support its development and alleviate extreme poverty.
The UAE sent a ship with 572 tons of food supplies to the country one month ago.
According to figures released by UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council on Thursday, one million people have been forced from their homes by the severe droughts that began in January 2021.
“This one million milestone serves as a massive alarm bell for Somalia,” said Mohamed Abdi, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s country director in Somalia.
“Starvation is now haunting the entire country. Because their villages are literally starved, more and more families are being forced to leave their homes. Aid funding urgently needs to be ramped up before it is too late.”
Source: sonna
