Somali Prime Minister announces an initial $500,000

Mogadishu, Thursday 17 July 2014 – The Humanitarian situation in the country has dominated the debate of today’s Council of Ministers meeting. Under the leadership of H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, concrete and immediate measures have been established to respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation affecting many regions around the country.

Prime Minister Ahmed with the support of the Council of Ministers has stood-up a Ministerial Emergency Committee comprised of seven Ministers who together will act as the lead coordinating body for this Government and develop a Drought and Emergency Response Plan.

H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister of Somalia said:
“We have immediately committed an initial $500,000 that will go towards providing quick concrete actions and offer rapid response to areas severely hit by the prevailing drought. Furthermore we will spearhead a fundraising campaign seeking the contribution of Somalis and friends of Somalia around the world to fund and mobilize the necessary resources.”

He added: “Finally, this Government will coordinate and closely work with all Humanitarian organizations in a consolidated effort to ensure an effective and prompt response to the current Humanitarian Crisis.”

Finally, the committee will be chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and include as members the Ministers of Water and Energy, Interior and Federal Affairs, Health, Planning and International Cooperation, Finance, and the Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range.