The United Kingdom has announced £6 million in new humanitarian funding to help Somalia confront a fast-worsening drought crisis, as UK Minister for
International Development and Africa Baroness Jenny Chapman wrapped up her first official visit to the country.
During talks at Villa Somalia with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Minister focused on the escalating risk of drought and the severe pressure it is placing on vulnerable communities across Somalia. She stressed that the UK is moving beyond a traditional donor role toward an investment-led development partnership—one aimed at strengthening resilience, expanding economic opportunity, reducing long-term climate vulnerability and helping curb irregular migration.
Baroness Chapman praised the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia in responding to drought-related needs and reaffirmed the importance of close coordination between Somali authorities and international partners.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing collaboration between Somalia, the UK, the World Bank and the United Nations, which has already enabled more than 500,000 people affected by drought to receive emergency cash assistance.
A key milestone discussed during the visit was the activation of the UK-supported African Risk Capacity insurance policy, which has triggered $3.4 million in rapid payouts to the Somali government. The funds are being used to deliver immediate drought response support, ensuring aid reaches communities before conditions worsen.
Additional funding has also been unlocked through the ARC Replica insurance mechanism for the Start Network and the World Food Programme, providing more than $2 million for humanitarian partners to respond quickly. Start Network’s anticipatory financing facility, Start Ready, has already released nearly $3 million to support early action in Somalia, helping mitigate the worst humanitarian impacts before the drought deepens.
While visiting a WFP warehouse in Mogadishu alongside Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Baroness Chapman formally announced the £6 million in additional UK humanitarian assistance. The funding will be directed to the hardest-hit areas and is expected to deliver life-saving support to more than 129,000 people affected by drought.
Speaking at the site, the Minister underlined the urgency of reaching at-risk communities early and called for sustained partnership between the UK, the UN, the Somali government and humanitarian organisations.
The visit concluded with meetings at the United Nations Support Office in Somalia and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, where Baroness Chapman thanked leaders for their role in maintaining Somalia’s security. At their air operations facility, she observed how UN and AU operations are supported on the ground, including through UK assistance.
She also met UK service personnel serving under Operation Tangham, praising their work in training the Somali National Army and supporting regional security efforts.
UK funding, the Minister said, is not only saving lives during the current drought but also helping build the long-term capacity of Somali security forces—contributing to a safer, more stable and resilient Somalia.