NEW YORK September 20, 2023 – At the recent Climate Mobility Summit held on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, Minister Khadija Al Makhzumi of Somalia voiced the urgent and immediate realities of climate change that her nation faces. “For Somalia, the climate crisis is not some distant future. It is a reality we are battling today,” she stated emphatically.
Somalia, positioned in the Horn of Africa, is acutely vulnerable to the climatic vagaries. Core to its economic structure are rain-fed agriculture, livestock production, and fisheries—all of which lie exposed to the perils of changing weather patterns.
Highlighting the unique challenges of the nation, Minister Al Makhzumi pointed out that a staggering 80% of Somalia’s landmass falls within the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL). This is in sharp contrast to its extensive coastline, yet the country is plagued by water scarcity issues.
Recent years have been particularly challenging. Somalia has grappled with a series of climate-induced shocks. Droughts, floods, the menacing rise of sea levels, devastating locust swarms, and unpredictable storms have wreaked havoc, leading to tragic losses of both lives and livelihoods. It’s noteworthy to mention the consecutive failed rainfall seasons between 2020 and 2023, which have dealt a harsh blow to the Somali population.
A significant and deeply concerning fallout of these climatic upheavals is the rise in climate mobility. The ongoing drought alone has uprooted over a million Somalis, pushing them towards urban centers in a rapid surge. This is not just a Somali concern but a regional one. Citing findings from the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative, Minister Al Makhzumi warned that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region could soon be at the epicenter of climate mobility in Africa. By 2050, climate impacts could force a staggering 55 million people—or 10% of the region’s populace—to seek new homes.
Minister Khadija Al Makhzumi’s address at the summit was not just an exposition of the grave challenges that Somalia grapples with. It was a plea for understanding, collaboration, and urgent action. As the global community deliberates over strategies and interventions, countries like Somalia hope that their immediate and dire realities will be acknowledged and prioritized. The clock is ticking, and for Somalia, the time to act is now.
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