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MOGADISHU — H.E. Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, Chairman of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), received at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Mogadishu a delegation from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), led by the new Head of Agency, Mr. Per Karlsson, to discuss mechanisms for advancing joint humanitarian work.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the operational efforts of the NEOC, established with Swedish support and now fully operational. The center plays a vital role in strengthening national disaster coordination, reflecting the deep institutional partnership between the two countries in capacity building and sustainable development.
The discussions focused on enhancing strategic cooperation and improving national-level coordination mechanisms, while emphasizing the importance of adopting anticipatory action measures to mitigate humanitarian crises and strengthen emergency operational capacities.
The Swedish delegation conducted an assessment tour of the Center’s various sections, observing the technical equipment and systems in place. They commended SoDMA’s readiness in responding to current crises, particularly in addressing the impacts of the ongoing drought across the country.
The delegation praised the tangible steps taken by SoDMA to develop the early warning system, reaffirming the Swedish Government’s commitment to continuing its support for Somali institutions to enhance community resilience against environmental shocks.
Both parties stressed the need to align Swedish development programs with Somali national priorities to ensure maximum utilization of available resources and transform relief response into long-term developmental solutions that support institutional stability.
The Chairman of SoDMA expressed his appreciation for the continuous support provided by the Kingdom of Sweden, noting that cooperation with SIDA remains a fundamental pillar of the agency’s strategy to build an advanced national disaster management system of international standards.
The meeting also explored expanding the partnership to include advanced training programs for national staff in geospatial data analysis and humanitarian logistics management, contributing to accelerating field response in the most affected regions.
The two sides agreed to intensify periodic coordination to ensure the continuous development of the NEOC as the vital hub for crisis management in the country, while working to strengthen communication with international partners to support relief and recovery efforts.
The meeting concluded by reaffirming a shared vision on the necessity of innovation in disaster management tools and the pursuit of comprehensive national policies that integrate urgent response with risk reduction to achieve humanitarian security and prosperity for Somali society.
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Mogadishu represents a qualitative leap in Somali institutional sovereignty over disaster management. Through technical and strategic support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the center has evolved from a coordination unit into an integrated, data-driven leadership platform, enhancing the state’s efficiency in protecting citizens and addressing complex climate challenges in the Horn of Africa.
