Somalia: Puntland President calls for support amid ongoing drought

GAROWE, Puntland- The President of northeastern region of Puntland, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali “Gaas”, has called for support to provide humanitarian aid to affected nomadic community from the ongoing drought situation that stricken the region, Garowe Online report.

During a news conference at the State House, attended by local and international press agencies including Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, Anadol Agency, AFP and Reuters, the President appealed for assistance for hundreds affected by severe water shortages and emaciating famine in the region.

Ali stated that Puntland government couldn’t tackle the worsening humanitarian situation, since it persisted for long period, but said the government is pushing efforts to provide relief program amid insufficient resources.

“The drought situation in Somalia and particularly in Puntland has devastated people, many livestock died and pastoral communities are migrating from the rural vicinities to the cities. The ongoing drought situation calls for intervention, first we need to provide assistance such as water, food and medicine to the affected people. Second, we need a collective approach to avert the ongoing drought condition,” said Ali.

President Ali also criticized international NGOs that operate in Puntland region for failing to provide adequate relief response, since Puntland government has declared a state of emergency in beginning of this year.

Ali urged Puntland people, international community and humanitarian organizations to assist the government in its efforts to fight the ongoing drought.     

GAROWEONLINE