SoDMA Launches Conference in Mogadishu to Test El Niño 2026 Preparedness

Mogadishu – The Chairman of the Somali National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahmoud Macallin Abdulle, opened a conference in Mogadishu to test Somalia's preparedness for El Niño 2026 and the capacity of the national system to respond to urgent flood threats and flooding of the Juba and Shabelle rivers.

The conference was organized by SoDMA in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and it is attended by representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, regional governments, international organizations, and local agencies.

The meeting focuses on testing the process of producing, transmitting, and utilizing early warnings, assessing risk data, coordinating agencies, and taking proactive measures. The aim is to convert forecasting data and early warnings into effective decisions and rapid actions to mitigate the impact of floods and protect vulnerable communities.

The Chairman of SoDMA, Mahmoud Macallin Abdulle, stated that Somalia has made progress in early warning systems, but the priority is to convert the warnings received into decisions and rapid proactive measures.

The Chairman also noted that this conference is testing the coordination of agencies, sharing data, and mobilizing support for emergency response, while identifying challenges and areas that need improvement.

He stated that the ultimate goal is to reduce the impact of floods and protect the lives and livelihoods of the Somali people, especially those living in flood-prone areas along the Juba and Shabelle rivers.