Mogadishu, Somalia — The Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on Wednesday took part in the second Somalia Disaster Resilience Conference, a high-level forum convened by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to address the country’s persistent vulnerability to natural and climate-induced disasters.
The conference brought together government officials, researchers, and humanitarian partners to explore practical ways to strengthen Somalia’s institutional capacity for disaster prevention and response. Discussions centered on tackling recurring challenges such as floods, droughts, and climate-related diseases—crises that have repeatedly disrupted lives, livelihoods, and the broader national economy.
In his keynote address, Fiqi stressed the urgency of adopting research-based, data-driven approaches to understand and manage Somalia’s complex disaster landscape.
“We must move from reaction to preparation,” he said, emphasizing that sustainable solutions lie in integrating scientific research, local knowledge, and robust coordination across institutions.
Fiqi lauded SoDMA’s leadership in coordinating national disaster response mechanisms and acknowledged the contributions of universities and research centers that have been generating data critical to improving preparedness. He noted that building resilience requires not only better systems but also stronger community engagement and sustainable investments in infrastructure.
“The Somali people have shown remarkable resilience, but our goal must be to ensure that no community is left alone in the face of drought or flood. Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Somalia,” the minister said.
The two-day conference marks another step in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to shift from crisis management to long-term resilience planning amid intensifying climate shocks.