In order to establish a national drought committee to oversee famine relief efforts in Somalia, the prime minister of Somalia presided over a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The prime minister reactivated the National Disaster Management Agency and created a committee made up of cabinet ministers, business executives, members of civil society organizations, and academics who would collaborate with national and international agencies.
The prime minister appealed to all Somalis worldwide to contribute to averting the crisis.
In Somalia, where communities confront severe food insecurity, famine, and disease as a result of four consecutive failed rainy seasons, drought has afflicted more than 7.1 million people.
The crisis, which is being described as the worst drought Somalia has experienced in 40 years, has resulted in the displacement of over 1 million people.
The National Drought Committee will include:
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Interior, Federal and Reconciliation
Minister of Religion and Endowments
Minister of Health and Social Welfare
Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development
Minister of Finance
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism
Minister of Women and Human Rights
Minister of Internal Security
Defense Minister
Minister of Energy and Water
Special Envoy for Drought Emergency
Somali scholars
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Civil society organizations