Mogadishu (SONNA) – In a concerted effort to address the imminent threats posed by the La-Nina drought, the Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahmoud Ma’allin Abdulle, and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ahmed Abdi Adan, convened an important meeting with prominent Somali religious scholars in Mogadishu.
During the meeting, Commissioner Abdulle provided a comprehensive briefing on the initial impacts of the La-Nina phenomenon, which has severely affected the lives and livelihoods of residents in 13 of Somalia’s 18 regions. The regions most impacted include Gedo, Hiran, Bay, Bakool, Mudug, Togdheer, Galgaduud, Sool, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, and Lower Juba.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Commissioner Abdulle noted that the failure of the Deyr rains has left nearly six million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. He stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent the drought from escalating into widespread civil strife.
The meeting also featured brief remarks from several Somali religious scholars, who urged SoDMA to persist in its relief efforts and public outreach. They collectively pledged to enhance public awareness on the prevention of civil strife and the significance of maintaining peace in these challenging times.
The scholars’ commitment to raising awareness and preparing for potential risks highlights the critical role of academic and governmental collaboration in addressing humanitarian crises. The SoDMA leadership and Somali scholars emphasized the need for cohesive and sustained efforts to mitigate the impacts of the La-Nina drought and support vulnerable communities across the nation.
This gathering marks a significant step in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to build resilience and ensure the well-being of its citizens amid environmental and social challenges.
