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The United Kingdom has announced an additional £6 million in humanitarian funding to support communities affected by drought in Somalia, as the country continues to face worsening climate shocks and rising food insecurity.
The announcement was made during the first official visit to Somalia by Baroness Jenny Chapman, the UK Minister for International Development and Africa. During her trip to Mogadishu, she held high-level talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and other senior government officials, as well as representatives from humanitarian and security organizations.
In her meeting with the President at Villa Somalia, discussions focused on the severe drought conditions affecting many regions of the country. The prolonged dry spells have devastated crops, killed livestock, and pushed vulnerable families deeper into poverty. Many communities are struggling to access food and clean water.
Baroness Chapman emphasized that the UK is shifting from a traditional donor approach to a long-term investment partnership with Somalia. The goal, she said, is to help the country build resilience against climate shocks, create economic opportunities, and reduce long-term dependence on aid. The new approach also aims to address some of the root causes of irregular migration by strengthening local livelihoods.
She praised the Federal Government of Somalia for leading efforts to coordinate the drought response and said the UK would continue working closely with Somali authorities to meet urgent humanitarian needs.
Through joint efforts involving the Somali government, the United Kingdom, the World Bank, and the United Nations, more than 500,000 people affected by drought are currently receiving emergency cash assistance. These cash transfers allow families to buy food and other essential items, giving them more flexibility and dignity during crisis.
The Minister also welcomed the activation of the African Risk Capacity insurance policy, which provided $3.4 million in rapid funding to the Somali government for emergency drought response. This insurance mechanism is designed to release funds quickly when climate disasters strike, helping authorities respond faster and more effectively.
In addition, the ARC Replica policy was triggered for humanitarian partners including the Start Network and the World Food Programme (WFP), releasing over $2 million to support response efforts. Another pre-arranged financing initiative, known as Start Ready, has already disbursed nearly $3 million for early action in Somalia. These early interventions aim to reduce suffering by providing assistance before conditions worsen.
During a visit to a WFP warehouse in Mogadishu, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Baroness Chapman officially announced the new £6 million in funding. The support will focus on the areas most severely affected by drought and is expected to reach more than 129,000 people with life-saving assistance.
The £6 million forms part of a wider £61 million UK funding package for the 2025/26 financial year. This broader package addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and the deeper causes of recurring crises in Somalia. More than £12 million has been allocated to a joint program involving the Somali government, the World Food Programme, and the World Bank. The program aims to strengthen social protection systems so that vulnerable households can receive support quickly when disasters strike.
Baroness Chapman stressed the importance of acting early and working together to prevent situations from spiraling into full-scale emergencies. She called for continued cooperation between the UK, the Somali government, the United Nations, and other international partners.
Before concluding her visit, the Minister met leaders from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. She also visited the UN air operations facility, where she reviewed logistical support provided to African Union and Somali forces.
Baroness Chapman thanked UK service personnel deployed under Operation Tangham for their role in training the Somali National Army. UK officials said their support remains focused on strengthening Somalia’s security institutions, countering violent extremism, and promoting long-term peace and stability alongside humanitarian assistance.