President Hassan Sheikh meets with UN’s refugee chief in Mogadishu over drought concerns

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, in Mogadishu. The duo discussed the country’s drought and the government’s plan to address internal displacement and terrorism.

President Hassan Sheikh emphasized that the government is committed to eradicating Al Shabaab from the country, and he praised the UNHCR’s support for the Somali people.

Filippo Grandi welcomed the government’s security plan, hoping it would make it easier to resettle and assist the internally displaced people. He promised to increase funds to deal with the drought and displaced people in Somalia.

Last September, the UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said that two areas of Somalia would likely enter a state of famine later this year as the country battles an unrelenting drought and flare-ups of conflict.

He warned that famine would occur in the Baidoa and Burhakaba districts of south-central Somalia between October and December unless aid efforts were significantly stepped up.