MOGADISHU — The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahmud Moalim Abdulle, officially welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Per Karlsson, the newly appointed Head of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), to the capital.
The Swedish delegation, which also included senior official Ms. Cecelia, engaged in a strategic visit aimed at significantly enhancing bilateral collaboration in disaster preparedness and emergency response across the Horn of Africa.
Touring the Emergency Operations Center
The high-level discussions took place at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Mogadishu. The NEOC, originally established with critical financial and technical support from SIDA, has now become fully functional. It currently serves as the primary hub for emergency coordination, resource allocation, and rapid disaster management throughout Somalia.
During their tour of the facility’s various sections, the Swedish delegation praised SoDMA’s improved preparedness for emergency situations—particularly regarding the persistent and severe drought conditions currently impacting millions across the nation. The delegation also recognized the agency’s persistent, nationwide work to strengthen early warning systems and decentralized disaster preparedness networks.
Expanding Strategic Partnerships
During the bilateral talks, both parties underscored the immense value of expanding their strategic partnership. Key focus areas included improving national and regional coordination frameworks, implementing data-driven anticipatory action approaches, and bolstering overall emergency response capabilities to act before climate shocks escalate into famines.
The state-of-the-art NEOC facility represents the Swedish Government’s ongoing, long-term commitment to supporting Somalia, particularly in the vital areas of building community climate resilience and advancing institutional development.
In his concluding statements, Commissioner Mahmud Moalim Abdulle conveyed his profound gratitude for the Swedish Government’s steadfast backing of Somalia’s disaster management initiatives. He stressed that maintaining a strong, unified alliance between SoDMA and SIDA is absolutely crucial in advancing the nation’s broader humanitarian objectives, especially amid recent shortfalls in global humanitarian aid.
