Somalis gathered today in the capital, Mogadishu, to pray for rain as a severe drought continues to ravage the country, state-owned SNTV reports.
Prime Minister Ali Hassan Kheyre was present at the event, held at the Isbaheysiga mosque, which was also attended by many residents and Islamic scholars.
In his remarks Mr Kheyre asked for divine intervention “to lift the drought burden from the Somali people”.
The BBC reports that his official Twitter account shared pictures of the event and a prayer asking God to bring rain to the people who have been affected by the drought.
He also called on Somalis to help each other and join hands to overcome the drought situation.
Millions of Somalis face the risk of starvation due to a severe drought that has hit the country.
The UN has warned that the country is on the brink of famine.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has declared the drought a national disaster and urged aid agencies to quickly respond to the country’s humanitarian needs.
In 2011, the UN estimated that nearly 260,000 people died as a result of famine in Somalia.
