Nairobi, Kenya — The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahamuud Moalim, has urged greater adoption of technology and innovation to strengthen early warning systems that can protect Somali communities from recurring natural disasters.
Speaking at the conclusion of a high-level meeting on disaster risk warnings in Nairobi, Moalim emphasized that investing in timely alerts and data-driven preparedness is vital to reducing the devastating impact of floods, droughts, and other climate shocks that continue to challenge Somalia.
The meeting gathered regional experts, development partners, and officials implementing the World Bank–funded NAGAAD and Somalia Crisis Recovery Project (SCRP) — both key programs aimed at building climate resilience and improving disaster preparedness across the country. Participants discussed ways to enhance coordination between national agencies, local authorities, and communities to ensure warnings are both timely and actionable.
Moalim reaffirmed SoDMA’s commitment to delivering early alerts through multiple platforms — from mobile messaging and social media to community radio and local networks — ensuring that even the most remote villages receive lifesaving information in time.
Somalia remains highly vulnerable to climate extremes, with droughts and floods displacing thousands each year. Experts at the meeting agreed that expanding early warning coverage and improving data collection are critical to preventing further humanitarian crises.