The Chairman of the Somali Disaster Management Authority (SoDMA), Mr. Mohamud Macallin Abdulle, met with the Saudi ambassador to Somalia, Mr. Ahmed bin Mohamed al-Mawlid, on Thursday to discuss cooperation and funding for recovery and adaptation projects in the country.
The meeting, which took place in Mogadishu, focused on supporting the production of farmers and herdsmen, including those affected by conflict, floods and droughts, building and rehabilitating water reservoirs, building emergency response centers for regional governments, medical supplies, and supporting the agency’s collective threat warning center and other points.
According to a statement from SoDMA, the meeting also reviewed the progress and challenges of the ongoing projects funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, such as the construction of a national emergency operations center (NEOC) and the development of a national disaster risk financing policy.
The Chairman of SoDMA thanked the Saudi Government for its unwavering support with the Government and the Somali people, underlining the importance of speeding up ongoing projects and forwarding others that deserve priority.
He also expressed his appreciation for the appointment of a new Saudi ambassador to Somalia, who was sworn in by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud last month, and hoped that it would strengthen the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The Saudi ambassador, for his part, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to support Somalia in its efforts to cope with disasters and build resilience. He also praised the achievements and efforts of SoDMA in coordinating and leading the disaster management sector in Somalia.
