A Somali official has thanked the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation for extending assistance to the Somali people, who were experiencing a difficult humanitarian situation as a result of a drought.

Dr. Mohammed Taher Ibrahim, in charge of agriculture and agricultural investment in Hargeisa, said the people of Somalia would never forget the generous assistance extended by the UAE under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation, at a time when there was a desperate need for basic services.

He told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that severe drought had struck Hargeisa and surrounding coastal and mountainous regions, destroying most of the livestock and crops and leaving many families suffering from illness.

The UAE, he added, was always among the first responders to provide timely assistance to the Somali people. He indicated that the foundation had purchased 40,000 food baskets from local market and distributed them to the affected families.