New York(Mogadishu24)-The United Nations has allocated $5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to support early action for drought prevention in Somalia, Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya announced.

Somalia faces a high risk of La Niña-induced drought, with a 70% likelihood of reduced rainfall, endangering food security for rural communities in central and southern Somalia, as well as Puntland.

This funding aims to reach over 130,000 people, providing critical resources in protection, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). It will complement an additional $5 million anticipatory action allocation from the Somalia Humanitarian Fund.

With the climate conference COP29 ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan, Somali delegates are advocating for increased climate finance, highlighting Somalia’s ongoing struggles with droughts, floods, and community resilience-building.