SoDMA and UN’s George Conway Hold Talks on Drought Response and Super El Niño Preparedness

MOGADISHU — The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahamuud Moallim Abdulle, has held a high-level meeting with George Conway, the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Humanitarian Coordinator, to review the country’s humanitarian situation and strengthen joint preparedness for anticipated climate shocks.

The meeting, which took place at SoDMA headquarters in Mogadishu, focused on assessing the progress of drought relief efforts, preparing for the forecasted Super El Niño rains expected later this year, and planning a joint assessment mission to regions including Somaliland, North Eastern State, and Puntland.

Commissioner Abdulle emphasized the importance of accelerating joint efforts to prepare for the potential impacts of Super El Niño, which is expected to bring heavy rains and flooding that could worsen the already fragile humanitarian situation. He stressed the need to mitigate the effects on vulnerable communities, particularly internally displaced persons and pastoralist populations.

Drought and Humanitarian Crisis

Somalia continues to face a severe drought that has displaced over 280,000 people since February 2026, including 11,000 in just one week in July. The crisis has been compounded by funding shortfalls, with humanitarian partners seeking US$852 million to assist 2.4 million of the most vulnerable people in 2026. However, the overall number of people in need is estimated at 4.8 million, a reduction of 20 percent compared to 2025 that reflects stricter needs definitions rather than improved conditions.

In response to the escalating emergency, SoDMA and the UN have ramped up collaborative efforts to confront the intensifying drought, with Commissioner Abdulle and Conway co-chairing strategy sessions to reinforce the country’s response to the climate crisis. Officials have assessed the drought’s current path and its harsh effects on at-risk populations, particularly in areas still recovering from earlier climate events.

A joint assessment team led by Commissioner Abdulle and including Conway has also visited Kismayo to examine the consequences of the persistent drought and assess living conditions in internally displaced persons settlements near the city.

Super El Niño Preparedness

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to preparations for the anticipated Super El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to bring heavy rains and potential flooding later this year. SoDMA has been holding a series of consultations with health partners to accelerate preparedness for the Super El Niño, seeking to strengthen coordination with relevant stakeholders to mitigate the risks.

The Cabinet has endorsed a national El Niño preparedness plan as the country faces the threat of severe flooding, displacement, and disruption to agriculture and food security. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has visited SoDMA headquarters to review El Niño preparedness, receiving briefings on measures already in place to prepare for the anticipated rainfall.

The agency has also strengthened partnerships with Somali universities to enhance research, innovation, and community resilience for climate-related hazards, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Mogadishu University to collaborate in disaster research, training, and the production of graduates specializing in humanitarian fields.

Commissioner Abdulle stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to mitigate the impact of the expected flooding on Somali communities, particularly the most vulnerable populations. He called for continued international support to ensure that preparedness measures are adequately resourced.

Joint Assessment Mission to Somaliland, North Eastern State, and Puntland

The meeting also discussed plans for a joint assessment mission to regions including Somaliland, North Eastern State, and Puntland. The mission aims to evaluate humanitarian conditions on the ground and identify priority areas for intervention. This follows previous joint assessments, including a mission to Kismayo led by Commissioner Abdulle and Conway earlier this year.

The planned assessment reflects the commitment of SoDMA and international partners to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the most affected communities, including those in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Commissioner Abdulle has previously met with Conway and Crispen Rukasha, Head of OCHA Somalia, to address the country’s ongoing humanitarian challenges and enhance collaboration on relief efforts. These engagements underscore the commitment of SoDMA and international partners to collaboratively address Somalia’s humanitarian needs through coordinated relief efforts and strategic planning.

Critical Note

While the meeting between SoDMA and UN officials reflects a continuing commitment to addressing Somalia’s humanitarian challenges, the gap between planning and implementation remains a persistent concern. The drought has already displaced hundreds of thousands, and the forecasted Super El Niño threatens to compound an already dire situation. However, funding shortfalls continue to hamper response efforts, with humanitarian partners receiving only a fraction of the resources needed. The government’s ability to coordinate effectively with international partners and ensure that aid reaches those most in need will be a critical test of its disaster management capacity. Furthermore, the planned joint assessment mission to Somaliland, North Eastern State, and Puntland, while welcome, must be accompanied by transparent reporting and accountability mechanisms to ensure that findings translate into tangible action. The international community must also step up its financial commitments to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, while the Somali government must demonstrate that it is using existing resources effectively and addressing the underlying drivers of vulnerability, including conflict, displacement, and climate change while avoiding political involvement as relates to the centre-periphery conflict.