A high-level delegation headed by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, met with President Ahmed Mohamed Islam ‘Madobe,’ members of his administration and representatives of local civil society.
Humanitarian emergency
“This
visit is one of several we are making to the Federal Member States to
focus attention on the prolonged drought, which is the worst in four
decades and has devastated and ravaged many parts of the country. Here,
in Jubaland, the drought has led to emergency levels of food
insecurity,” the Special Representative said addressing the press in the
state’s capital, Kismayo.
Mr.
Swan spoke about the UN’s commitment to continue advocating for more
international donor support to prevent famine in Somalia adding that in
its humanitarian actions the UN family is working side-by-side with
local humanitarian partners.
“We
urge federal and state officials in Somalia to continue to collaborate
in addressing severe water shortages and drought conditions and to make
further progress on security, and governance to respond to the needs of
the people,” the UN official added.
According
to the latest report of the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 7.8 million Somalis have been
affected by the drought, with more than 1 million displaced by drought
and searching for food, water, pasture and livelihoods.
The
report says Kismayo hosts almost 125,000 people, mostly displaced by
drought and living mainly in congested settlements with limited water,
sanitation and health facilities. In the Gedo region of Jubaland, its capital Garbahaarrey hosts about 1,800 displaced families.
This year’s
Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia seeks around $1.5 billion to meet
the country’s most critical humanitarian needs. By the end of August, 65 per cent of that had been received. However, critical sectors remain underfunded, and needs are growing.
Inclusive governance
Mr.
Swan also took the opportunity to discuss with President Madobe and his
cabinet issues of stronger federal and state collaboration, peace and
state building at both federal and state levels.
“Beyond
the issue of the drought response, the United Nations stands ready to
support the Jubaland administration in the formation of district
councils, and in advancing reconciliation within Jubaland state,” said
Mr. Swan
The
UN official also underscored that the areas of security,
reconciliation, social and economic development need to be inclusive.
“We urge, in this regard, due representation of women, youth and minority communities in governance and leadership.”
Addressing
the United Nations Security Council in early September, the Special
Representative said that in Somalia women remained under-represented in
cabinet positions and parliamentary committees. Only 13 per cent of
cabinet members are women, and 21 per cent of parliamentary committee
members.
During
the visit, Mr. Swan and his delegation also met with civil society
representatives including the Jubaland Non-State Actors Association
(JUNSAA), the Journalists’ Association of Jubaland (JAJ), the Somali
Women Solidarity Organization (SWSO) and the Somali Girls’ Umbrella for
Development (SOGUD).
Jubaland
is the latest in a series of high-level UN visits around the country as
part of the UN’s support to federal and state humanitarian, development
and security priorities. The Special Representative has so far visited
Puntland, South West State and Galmudug.
Mr.
Swan, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), was
accompanied in Kismayo by the Resident Representative of the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Somalia, Jocelyn Mason;
Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in
Somalia, Etienne Peterschmitt; Country Representative of the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Somalia, Edward Adeniyi Ojuolape; and
Deputy Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Somalia,
Laura Turner.
The delegation
reiterated the UN’s commitment to continuing to work together with
President Madobe, his team and the people of Jubaland as they build a
better future.
– UNSOM –
