​Somali President meets with UN officials over drought response

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo met with top UN officials in Mogadishu, to discuss the drought that is ravaging most parts of the country, Garowe Online reports. 

The meeting was attended by officials from United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), including UN's Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Peter de Clerq.

According to a statement from the President's office, both sides have agreed to hold meeting in  Mogadishu, which will bring together officials from government, regional administrations, International aid agencies and drought response committee.

"We had a fruitful meeting with President Farmajo on Monday, which focused on the critical drought in the country. UN will support Somalia in every possible way to address drought," Mr Clerq tweeted.

The new President of Somalia Farmajo who is expected to take the oath of office next week, is seeking an international response to help thousands in drought-hit areas in the country.

United Nations humanitarian agencies fear another famine in Somalia, the East African country is suffering the worst drought in decades after low rain seasons for 3 consecutive years.

The situation is exacerbated by the threat posed by Al Shabaab, a militant Islamist group with ties to al-Qaida, which controls some of the worst-affected areas.