The self‑declared Republic of Somaliland has confirmed the receipt of $700,000 in drought relief funding from Somalia’s federal government, marking a rare moment of cooperation despite decades of political tension.
What Are the Targeted Communities by the Drought Relief Funding?
According to Somaliland’s drought commission, the funds will support emergency relief in Awdal region, western Somaliland, one of the areas hardest hit by prolonged dry conditions.
Officials said the money has already been deposited into government accounts and will be used to assist communities facing severe water and food shortages.
A commission spokesperson told state media that humanitarian solidarity has often transcended political divides, noting that both sides have historically extended help to one another during environmental crises.
Ordered by Somali Federal Leadership
The drought relief funding follows a directive from Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, issued several weeks ago, instructing the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to send urgent relief to Awdal.
However, like other federal agencies, SoDMA does not operate directly within Somaliland, which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 — a move not recognized by the international community.
Humanitarian Cooperation Across the Political Divide
While formal diplomatic ties remain absent, moments of collaboration in the face of humanitarian need have occasionally emerged.
This latest transfer of aid underscores the potential for humanitarian diplomacy to bridge long‑standing divides, particularly during extreme climate crises in the Horn of Africa.
