EU to co-host the Somalia Partnership Forum in Brussels

MOGADISHU (Halbeeg)- European Union will co-host the Somalia Partnership Forum, scheduled for July 16-17, in Brussels, Belgium.

The event aims to mobilise the international community to step up support for Somalia’s efforts to build a more secure and prosperous future following years of conflict.

According to a press statement by EU, Vice-President of EU, Federica Mogherini will co-chair the conference with Mr Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime Minister of Federal Government Somalia and Ms Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides will also be attending the conference.

The opening remarks of the ministerial level session on 17 July will be broadcast live.

The event comes on the heel of EU’s  €89 million (close to $105 million) in humanitarian assistance to Somalia,

“The devastating effects of two years of drought and the recent intense flooding are taking their toll on the livelihood of millions of people in Somalia,” Commissioner Christos Stylianides, in charge of humanitarian aid and crisis management, said in the statement.

“Our aid will target the most vulnerable and provide life-saving support to those affected by climatic shocks and internal conflict,” Stylianides said.

The Commission noted that the EU has drastically scaled up its humanitarian assistance to Somalia — allocating €119 million (some $135 million) to the country last year alone.

“Out of the aid package, €89 million in emergency assistance will be channelled in Somalia to reach communities displaced by severe drought,” it said, “…focussing on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, water supply and livestock protection, as well as health measures against epidemics.”