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aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaPRESS RELEASE 6 Aug 2025
Somali Diaspora Advocacy Working Group welcomes the opening of the Somalia Humanitarian Forum 2025 in Baidoa. This Forum is an important step towards fostering inclusive coordination and amplifying Somali-led humanitarian responses. It serves as a vital platform for stakeholders to examine existing challenges, strengthen collaborative frameworks, and explore solutions that are informed by local contexts.
As national and international partners convene to tackle Somalia’s pressing humanitarian needs, SDAWG highlights the indispensable role diaspora organisations play in developing effective and sustainable responses.
For years, Somali diaspora organisations have acted as first responders, financial supporters, and trusted advocates within their communities. Engaging them more formally in coordination efforts would harness their unique skills and deep rooted connections, creating a more comprehensive approach to humanitarian assistance.
Rashid Ga’al, Director and Senior Strategy Advisor at SDAWG, emphasised that integrating diaspora leadership into Somalia’s humanitarian framework would significantly enhance operational effectiveness while fostering the principles of equity, accountability, and local ownership. He pointed out that diaspora organisations bring valuable expertise in critical areas such as disability inclusion, youth engagement, and climate resilience, essential components for long-term recovery and development.
SDAWG calls on Forum participants to consider actionable steps for institutionalising diaspora engagement. Proposed initiatives include establishing formal representation within coordination bodies, creating accessible funding pathways for Somali-led initiatives, and aligning policy frameworks with the realities faced by local actors.
Implementing these measures would greatly contribute to making localisation a core commitment and operational standard within Somalia’s humanitarian framework. The Somali diaspora remains a vital partner in championing community-driven solutions. SDAWG is committed to collaborating and advocating with all stakeholders to foster principled, locally-led humanitarian actions that embody the aspirations and strengths of the Somali people.
