Monday December 8, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) - Chinese government has donated $1 million to the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to support drought-affected communities across the country.
Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu formally handed over the contribution on Monday during a high-level meeting hosted by SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle.
He added that he had earlier met with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to discuss strengthening cooperation in tackling climate-related disasters. The ambassador praised SoDMA’s growing institutional capacity, expressing confidence that the agency would “work tirelessly to help the country out of these difficult times and move them to better times.”
Wang also encouraged SoDMA staff to engage in future exchange programs, underscoring China’s commitment to knowledge-sharing alongside financial assistance.
Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle welcomed the donation, describing China as a “brotherly country” that consistently translates its promises into action.
“This is the first respondent to our outcry,” he said, referring to SoDMA’s recent warnings about failing seasonal rains. “We thank the brotherly country of China for their rapid response to the drought. They have actively engaged in both development and humanitarian sectors in the country.”
Moalim noted that China’s support extends beyond cash contributions, highlighting Beijing’s role in constructing SoDMA’s federal state centers and warehouses critical infrastructure for storing and delivering emergency supplies.
According to SoDMA data, the current seasonal rainfall is dangerously low. While at least 45 millimeters of rainfall are needed for successful farming, most regions have received less than 10 millimeters—devastating crop production and placing millions at risk of severe food insecurity.