Puntland Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor on Tuesday attended a ceremony in Garowe marking World Humanitarian Day, an event organized by the Puntland Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
The gathering brought together representatives from international and local aid organizations, Puntland government officials and members of civil society to discuss the humanitarian challenges facing Puntland and the importance of strengthening cooperation between government institutions, humanitarian agencies and local communities.
The event also served as an opportunity to review ongoing efforts to support people affected by emergencies and disasters, while highlighting the need to better prepare communities to respond to future humanitarian crises.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Lugatoor stressed the importance of closer collaboration between Puntland authorities and humanitarian organizations.
He emphasized that addressing the needs of vulnerable communities requires more than emergency relief alone and called for sustainable solutions that tackle the root causes of humanitarian crises.
Lugatoor noted that local communities should play a central role in planning, implementing and monitoring humanitarian programs, arguing that community participation is essential for building resilience and improving the effectiveness of aid efforts.
A major theme of the event was the need to empower local communities to respond to emergencies.
Participants highlighted that local residents are often the first responders during disasters and crises, making community preparedness a critical component of humanitarian response.
Officials and aid organizations emphasized that providing communities with training, resources and knowledge can help reduce the impact of disasters and improve response times when emergencies occur.
They also stressed the importance of involving local populations in disaster preparedness and response planning to ensure that humanitarian programs reflect the actual needs and realities of affected communities.
Like many parts of Somalia, Puntland continues to face a range of humanitarian challenges, including drought, climate change, economic hardship, displacement and limited access to essential services.
Recurring droughts have particularly affected pastoral communities, threatening livestock and livelihoods that many families depend on for survival.
At the same time, displacement caused by environmental and economic pressures has increased demand for food, water, shelter, healthcare and other essential services.
Participants at the event emphasized the need to move beyond short-term emergency assistance and invest in long-term development programs that strengthen infrastructure, healthcare, education, water access and economic opportunities.
The ceremony underscored the importance of coordination between government institutions and humanitarian agencies to ensure aid reaches those most in need and resources are used effectively.
Officials also called for greater community involvement in assessing humanitarian needs, arguing that aid programs should be based on accurate information from affected populations.
World Humanitarian Day is observed globally to recognize the work of humanitarian personnel and volunteers who assist people affected by conflict, disasters and other emergencies.
The event in Garowe served as a reminder of the continuing need to support vulnerable communities and build resilience against future crises.
Participants concluded that combining humanitarian assistance with long-term development strategies will be essential in helping Puntland better withstand droughts, displacement, natural disasters and other recurring challenges.