Chargé d’Affaires of the Somali Embassy in Ankara, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, emphasized that Türkiye’s humanitarian aid and development model serves as a global example amid the devastating drought crisis in Somalia. He also criticized the international community for not providing sufficient support.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Nur underlined that Türkiye’s long-standing involvement in Somalia, through both emergency relief and development efforts, continues to be a beacon of effective international cooperation. “Our message to the international community is to adopt the ‘Türkiye model,'” said Nur.
“Somalia Faces Another Major Drought”
Highlighting the recurrence of severe drought since 2011, Nur stated that this year’s crisis has reached alarming levels. “What makes this drought worse is the absence of a consistent water storage system in Somalia over the past 25 years,” he said, adding that the lack of rainfall has led to the death of livestock and put approximately 3 million people at risk.
“The situation is truly dire,” he said. “While the 2011 drought caused significant loss of life, this year could be equally catastrophic.” Nur also warned of a growing cholera outbreak—unlike in 2011—which has already claimed 200 to 300 lives.
Türkiye’s Timely Intervention
Nur praised Türkiye for its swift response and ongoing assistance through state agencies like TİKA, AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent, and various NGOs. “Türkiye has always been a leader in responding to Somali crises, and once again, they are on the ground providing aid,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of sustainable projects: “There are major initiatives by TİKA to implement water storage systems, and they have been distributing food, medicine, and infant formula across affected regions.”
“Türkiye’s Model Is a Global Example”
Nur called Türkiye’s dual approach of emergency relief and long-term development a model for the world. “We believe the ‘Türkiye model’ is healthier, more effective, and must be emulated by the international community,” he said.
He criticized global aid efforts for being slow and inadequate. “Support is often promised but rarely delivered,” he added.
Infrastructure Needs: Water Storage and Distribution
Nur stressed the need for infrastructure development to manage the waters of Somalia’s two main rivers, which either flood or dry out depending on the season. “There must be a system for storing and distributing this water,” he said. He also noted the lack of rainwater harvesting facilities and called for more wells, particularly in remote areas, to ensure local communities can sustain agriculture and livestock.
The ongoing drought has triggered the largest internal displacement in Somalia’s recent history. “People are fleeing to urban areas after losing their livelihoods. We must focus aid efforts on their home regions to help them stay or return once the rains arrive,” Nur said.
THY’s Campaign Gains Global Recognition
Nur also applauded Turkish Airlines (THY) for responding to a viral social media campaign—spearheaded by international celebrities like Ben Stiller—calling for humanitarian flights to Somalia. “THY answered the call and has committed to delivering 20 tons of aid within two weeks,” he said. “It is also the only international airline currently flying to Somalia.”
A Word of Thanks to Erdoğan
Nur thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his consistent support and highlighted the impact of Türkiye’s “Be the Hope of Humanity” (#UmuduOl) campaign for East Africa, launched via Twitter. “Thanks to Türkiye’s experience and leadership, we are confident we can overcome this crisis,” Nur concluded.