MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahamuud Moallim Abdulle, officially inaugurated a high-level National Consultation forum in Mogadishu on Thursday. The conference is dedicated to strengthening the country’s emergency response mechanisms for ongoing droughts, with a specific strategic focus on empowering women-led organizations to lead humanitarian interventions.
Held at the Peace Hotel, the event has convened key stakeholders to analyze the indispensable role of women’s rights groups in crisis management. The discussions prioritized methods to elevate women from beneficiaries to key decision-makers in the planning, delivery, and implementation of humanitarian aid. The central premise of the consultation is that relief efforts are more effective when driven by those most deeply embedded in the community structure.
In his opening address, Commissioner Mahamuud Moallim Abdulle emphasized that the active and robust participation of women is a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable and equitable relief. He noted that because women and children are disproportionately affected by climate shocks and drought, female leadership is essential to ensure that response strategies accurately address the specific needs of the most vulnerable demographics.
The consultation is being conducted in close partnership with UN Women, whose representatives were present alongside officials from various international aid agencies. This collaboration aims to align Somalia’s national disaster strategies with global standards for gender-responsive humanitarian action, ensuring that future emergency responses are both inclusive and efficient.
