LONDON, Feb. 12 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

At Villa Somalia, the Minister was hosted byPresidentHassan Sheikh Mohamud. Discussions focussed on the rapidly escalating drought risk across Somalia and the significantchallengesit is causingforvulnerable communities.Baroness Chapman underscored the UK's shift from a traditional donor relationship to an investment‑driven development partnership, designed to strengthen Somali resilience, support economic opportunity, reduce long‑term vulnerability to climate‑inducedshocksanddeter irregular migration.She also recognised the critical leadership role the Federal Governmentof Somalia (FGS)continues to play in responding to drought‑related needs across the country and agreed to continue vital coordination between the FGSand the UK to address need.

The Ministercongratulated the President forhis Government's leadershipin response to the ongoing drought and food security crisisand heard how, through collaboration between the Government, the UK, the WorldBankand the United Nations, over 500,000 people affected by drought are already receiving emergency cash support. She alsowelcomed the activation of theUK-supportedAfricanRisk Capacity (ARC)insurancepolicy for drought response -triggering $3.4millioninrapid payouts to the Government for emergency drought response, ensuringtimelyand effective support to those most in need.

The Minister andPresidentalsodiscussedthe activation oftheARC Replicainsurancefor theStartNetworkandtheWorld Food Programme, providingover$2millionforhumanitarian partnersto respond quickly to needs.Start Network's pre-arranged financefacility StartReady has alreadydisbursedalmost $3millionforanticipatoryaction in Somalia,mitigatinghumanitarian impacts before conditions deteriorate.TheUK has supported these mechanisms since theirinceptionaspart ofefforts to increasethe use ofpre-arranged finance forearly actionandimprove the efficiency of humanitarian response.

Visiting a WorldFoodProgramme(WFP) warehouse in MogadishuwithDeputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama,Baroness Chapman announced £6 million inadditionalUK humanitarianassistance. This newassistancewilltargetthe highest‑need locations to deliver life‑saving support toover 129,000 peopleimpactedby drought.

Speaking at the WFPwarehouse,the Minister emphasised the need to protect vulnerable Somali communities get urgentassistanceto them in advance. She urged continued partnership between the UK, UN,the SomaliGovernmentand other partners.

Ending her programme inSomalia, the MinistermetUnited Nations Support Office in Somalia(UNSOS)andAfrican Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)leaders, tothank them for their commitment to Somalia's security.During a visit to their airoperations facility,she was able tobetter understand theUN'svitalsupportwork andsee thecontributionmade byUK support to AUSSOMand UNSOS.She also met UK service personnel, part of Operation Tangham, supporting UN and AU operations and thanked them for their vital efforts to train the Somali National Army.

UK funding is helping build the capacity of theSomali forces, savinglives and counteringviolent extremists - for a safer, more secure Somalia.

Notes to Editors

* For more information on UK activity in Somalia, follow us onX, Facebook and Instagram. * The new £6 million in humanitarian support forms part of a £61 million UK package of funding in financial year 2025/26 to bilaterally address both immediate humanitarian needs and the underlying drivers of crisis in Somalia, including over £12 million to a partnership with the Federal Government, World Food Programme and World Bank to provide shock-responsive social protection to the most vulnerable drought affected households. * African Risk Capacity is Africa's regional risk insurance scheme for drought, tropical cyclones, floods and disease outbreaks, providing affordable insurance for countries (ARC) and humanitarian agencies (ARC Replica insurance). The UK is a founder member/donor, including subsidising multiyear drought insurance for Somalia ($9m over 3 years) alongside the African Development Bank. The UK also subsidises the ARC Replica insurance for Start Network (£6 million over 2 years for 4 high risk African countries) and also WFP (via the Global Shield Financing Facility). For more information on ARC, please seeAfrican Risk Capacity Limited - Resilience Risk Pools

* Start Ready is an innovative pre-arranged finance facility that funds anticipatory and early action through locally-led organisations. For more information, please seeStart Ready Start Network

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.