Unison Africa Successfully Hosts Somalia-USA Agriculture Forum at the University of Minnesota

We are thrilled to share the success of Unison Africa's recent forum, the Somalia-USA Agriculture Forum, held at the University of Minnesota. This high-impact event brought together key stakeholders, experts, and concerned individuals to address the pressing issue of climate change in Africa, with a special focus on the urgent humanitarian crisis in Somalia.

The Somali humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels, affecting over seven million people who are in desperate need of assistance. A combination of hydrological drought, prolonged conflict, limited purchasing power, humanitarian access challenges, and underlying vulnerability has led to the displacement of over 800,000 individuals in the country.

Approximately 60% of Somalia’s population comprises nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralists, heavily relying on livestock breeding. Additionally, 25% of Somalis depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. The vulnerability of these communities to the adverse impacts of climate change is exacerbated by limited access to essential social services.

The forum highlighted the significance of the agriculture sector in Somalia's economic growth and emphasized the need to strengthen the resilience of rural communities. Small local farms were identified as crucial components, not only in meeting the food needs of the population but also in creating jobs and generating income through crop sales and agricultural labor opportunities.

The virtual panel featured distinguished speakers from the Federal Government of Somalia, including Dahir Hassan (Political Counselor to the UN Permanent Mission), H.E Abdihakim Jimale (Deputy Minister of Federal Republic of Somalia Ministry of Women & Human Rights Development), and H.E Asad Mohamed (State Minister of Federal Republic of Somalia Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation).

An in-person panel further delved into sustainable solutions for the future and building resilient communities. The panel included notable figures such as Mr. Patrice Bailey (Assistant Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Agriculture), Adel El-Huni (Chief Enabling Officer of Katalyze), and Shane Stennes (Chief Sustainability Officer of the University of Minnesota).

The success of the event was further enriched by the engagement and support of the University of Minnesota community. We are immensely grateful for their collaboration in hosting this meaningful forum.

As Unison Africa continues its commitment to fighting climate change in Africa, the Somalia-USA Agriculture Forum at the University of Minnesota stands as a testament to collective dedication and the pursuit of sustainable solutions. For more information about Unison Africa and how to support our initiatives, please visit our website at www.unisonafrica.org.