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The government of China has donated $1 million to the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to support communities struggling with the ongoing drought across the country. The funds were officially handed over in Mogadishu by Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu during a meeting with SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle. This contribution comes at a time when many regions in Somalia are facing critically low rainfall, worsening food insecurity, harming agriculture, and affecting the livelihoods of millions of people.
During the handover ceremony, Ambassador Wang said the donation reflects China’s commitment to stand with the Somali people during this difficult period. He noted that droughts in Somalia have caused widespread displacement and hardship, and China wants to help reduce that suffering. The ambassador said the support is rooted in the principle of sincerity and goodwill encouraged by President Xi Jinping. He stressed that China remains prepared to continue assisting Somalia, especially as the country faces more frequent climate-related challenges.
Ambassador Wang also mentioned that he recently met with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to discuss expanding cooperation between the two countries. One of the key areas of focus was improving Somalia’s ability to respond to natural disasters. He praised SoDMA for its progress, saying the agency has shown professionalism and increasing capacity in handling emergencies. Wang expressed confidence that the funds would be used responsibly and would help protect vulnerable communities. He encouraged SoDMA staff to take part in future exchange programs with China, explaining that long-term partnerships and knowledge-sharing are just as important as financial support. According to him, building expertise helps countries become more resilient over time.
SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle thanked the Chinese government for what he called a timely and meaningful contribution. He described China as a brotherly nation that has consistently supported Somalia through humanitarian assistance and development projects. Moalim emphasized that China was the first country to respond when SoDMA announced warnings about the rapidly worsening drought and the extremely low seasonal rainfall. He said this quick response shows China’s commitment to helping Somalia during emergencies.
The commissioner also highlighted China’s role in strengthening SoDMA’s long-term infrastructure. China has supported the construction of federal state offices and storage warehouses used for keeping emergency supplies. These facilities play a crucial role during crises because they make it easier for the agency to store and distribute relief items quickly and efficiently. According to Moalim, this support shows that China is helping Somalia not only through donations but also by building systems that will improve disaster response for years to come.
SoDMA reports that the current rainy season has produced dangerously low rainfall across most regions of Somalia. Farmers usually need at least 45 millimeters of rain for crops to grow well, but many areas have received less than 10 millimeters. This drastic drop has severely damaged harvests and put millions of people at risk of food shortages. With the planting season already disrupted, relief agencies worry that food insecurity could worsen in the coming months if the rainfall does not improve. Livestock, which many families rely on for food and income, are also threatened by the prolonged dry conditions.
China’s donation arrives at a critical moment and brings hope to communities that have been struggling for months. SoDMA says the funds will support emergency relief activities such as water trucking, assistance for displaced families, and services that protect vulnerable groups. While the situation remains worrying, officials believe that international partnerships — like the one between Somalia and China — are essential to helping the country cope with the growing impacts of climate change. The agency has stressed that long-term investment in climate resilience, better preparedness, and sustained cooperation from global partners are key to preventing future humanitarian crises.