MOGADISHU–China has pledged $2 million in cash and an additional 15 million yuan ($2.1 million) in emergency food aid to Somalia to combat a worsening humanitarian crisis. The announcement was made by Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu on Sunday during a ceremony in Mogadishu, where he formally handed over the assistance to the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) Commissioner, Mahamud Moallim Abdulle. Ambassador Wang stated, “Today, I would like to announce that the Chinese government will provide a new batch of humanitarian assistance—2 million U.S. dollars in cash assistance—to support water supply, health facilities, and humanitarian aid delivery projects in some disaster-affected regions.” He also mentioned that an additional 15 million yuan in food aid is being dispatched to help the federal government “cope with the severe food shortage.” The ceremony also marked the inauguration of the renovated SoDMA Main Warehouse, a project funded by Beijing to improve Somalia’s aid storage capacity. In addition, Abdulle praised the timing of the support, noting that the agency previously struggled with inadequate storage for food supplies. He expressed gratitude to China for always standing by Somalia in difficult times and stated, “This warehouse we see today will solve the storage challenges we faced. China is also assisting us with an emergency centre in Las Anod which is nearly ready for operation.” However, Abdulle also emphasized that despite some rainfall, the humanitarian need remains critical. He stated, “The rains have started to fall, but the people still urgently need food, clean water, and shelter.” The new funds will be prioritized for the most vulnerable among the 6.5 million people affected by the drought, specifically targeting the 45 districts currently classified as being in a state of emergency. This latest contribution follows a period of sustained support from Beijing. In December 2025, the Chinese government provided $1 million in cash assistance for drought relief in some regions.
