U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for “massive international support” for Somalia on Tuesday when he visited the East African country, that has been hit by devastating drought that is the worst in decades.
Guterres told reporters he was in Somalia “to ring the alarm” on the country’s need for massive international support when he appeared at a joint press briefing with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, adding that the nation is dealing with humanitarian difficulties while also combating a serious terrorism threat.
The U.N chief received a red carpet welcome with an honor guard as Somali and U.N. officials greeted him at international airport in the capital, Mogadishu while most of the city was locked down for the visit, with public transportation restricted.
Mohamud thanked Guterres for demonstrating concern for Somalia.
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“This visit assures us that the U.N is fully committed to supporting our plans for state-building and stabilizing the country. We are confident that the Somali people will be able to overcome the problems and challenges they are still facing through the completion of the liberation of the country and reconciliation,” the president said.
Food security experts say life remains “extremely critical” for more than 6 million hungry people in Somalia’s historic drought while it also continues to face unending insecurity threats as it battles thousands of fighters from al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab.
Guterres lauded the determination that the residents of a camp for internally displaced people in Baidoa, in southwest Somalia had shown to rebuild their lives when he visited them.
“In the holy month of Ramadan, we need to have a generosity from the international community that is absolutely crucial to rescue these people that I have seen in this camp and that live in so dramatic circumstances,” Guterres said.
Story was adapted from AP.
