Mogadishu, SONNA — The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahamud Moalim Abdulle, has stated that Somalia has moved beyond the stage of discussions and planning and is now focused on building formal and effective disaster response systems.
Speaking on the country’s evolving disaster management framework, Commissioner Mahamud Moalim Abdulle highlighted the urgent need for stronger institutional mechanisms to respond to recurring crises affecting the nation.
He noted that Somalia continues to face multiple challenges, including drought, conflict, and the growing impacts of climate change, emphasizing that delays in responding to disasters can lead to severe humanitarian and economic consequences.
Somalia is constantly dealing with droughts, conflicts and the impact of climate change, and therefore the losses resulting from delays in disaster response cannot be underestimated.”
Commissioner Mohamud Moallim also stated that the New National Disaster Management Policy has formally recognized the Social Disaster Response System (SRSP) as a key component of the country’s national disaster response framework.
He expressed appreciation to international partners, particularly the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), for their support in helping Somalia establish and strengthen this system.
In his remarks, the Commissioner called on international partners to channel future assistance through the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (National DRM Fund), stressing that such an approach would help strengthen national capacity and improve the country’s ability to respond effectively to humanitarian emergencies.
