Mogadishu Hosts Talks to Chart Somalia’s First Disaster Strategy

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has opened a two-day conference in Mogadishu to draft the country’s first national disaster management strategy, as authorities seek to move from crisis response to long-term preparedness.

The forum, launched by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) Commissioner Mahmoud Moallim Abdulle, brings together government officials, aid agencies, and regional partners to develop a framework for tackling recurring emergencies such as droughts and flash floods.

“The goal is to shift from reacting after disasters strike to building resilience and preparing communities in advance,” Abdulle said, thanking international partners for their support.

Participants include representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), underscoring regional and global backing for the initiative.

Officials say the strategy will focus on early warning systems, stronger institutions, and coordinated planning to reduce the humanitarian toll of natural disasters in the Horn of Africa nation.