JOWHAR, Somalia – A delegation led by the Chairman of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahmoud Ma’alim Abdulle, visited Jowhar City, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle State, on Thursday.
The delegation met with the President of Hirshabelle State, Ali Gudlawe Hussein, and other officials to discuss the situation caused by the El-Niño rains at the end of last year and the preparations for the upcoming spring rains, which are expected to cause more flooding in the region.
According to SoDMA, more than 1.7 million people were affected by the heavy rains and floods that hit Somalia in late 2023, displacing hundreds of thousands and destroying crops and infrastructure. The agency has been providing humanitarian assistance and coordinating relief efforts with other partners, such as the United Nations and the African Union.
The delegation also inspected some of the flood mitigation projects that SoDMA has implemented in Jowhar and other areas, such as building dykes, canals, and drainage systems. The agency said it is working to enhance the resilience and capacity of the communities to cope with the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
The President of Hirshabelle State thanked the delegation for their visit and expressed his appreciation for the support and cooperation of SoDMA. He also urged the residents of Jowhar and other flood-prone areas to follow the guidelines and warnings issued by the agency and the authorities.
SoDMA said it will continue to monitor the weather situation and provide updates and assistance to the affected populations. The agency also appealed for more funding and resources from the international community to address the humanitarian needs and challenges in Somalia.
