{"id":20091,"date":"2026-07-31T22:29:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T22:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sooha.org\/en\/?p=20091"},"modified":"2026-08-09T12:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T12:02:38","slug":"somalia-leads-african-call-to-strengthen-el-nino-readiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sooha.org\/en\/2026\/07\/31\/somalia-leads-african-call-to-strengthen-el-nino-readiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Somalia leads African call to strengthen El Ni\u00f1o readiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

MOGADISHU \u2013 <\/strong>Somalia has called for stronger African preparedness to address potential climate risks associated with the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon in 2026, stressing that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and their expanding impact on vulnerable communities require a more proactive and coordinated continental approach to disaster risk management. The call comes as several African countries face growing challenges caused by drought, floods, and disruptions to water and food resources, making the development of early warning systems, the exchange of climate information, and advance preparedness essential pillars for reducing humanitarian and economic losses.<\/p>\n

The Somali position was presented during the African Union ministerial meeting held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, which focused on disaster preparedness and strengthening capacity to address climate-related risks, with representatives from African countries and regional and international institutions taking part. Somalia was represented by the Chairman of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mohamud Moalim Abdulle, who presented his country\u2019s experience in dealing with recurring climate emergencies, stressing the need to move from a model that responds after disasters occur to an approach based on risk forecasting, early preparedness, and reducing impacts before they develop into wider humanitarian crises. Somalia\u2019s participation highlighted the importance of drawing on national experience in disaster management and incorporating it into a coordinated African effort.<\/p>\n

Mr. Mohamud Moalim Abdulle explained that Somalia\u2019s geographical position in East Africa makes it highly vulnerable to climate variability associated with both El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a, noting that recurring droughts and floods have severely affected the livelihoods of agricultural and pastoral communities, placed pressure on water and food resources, and contributed to displacement and rising humanitarian needs. He stressed that Somalia\u2019s experience has shown that delays in addressing risk indicators can significantly amplify the consequences of disasters, particularly in rural areas where communities depend heavily on agriculture and livestock. This makes early preparedness a critical factor in protecting lives and livelihoods.<\/p>\n

Somalia stressed that accurate and timely climate information is the foundation of an effective response, calling for the development of early warning networks and their direct integration with government and community response mechanisms. It emphasized that climate warnings should not remain limited to data and forecasts, but should be translated into practical measures, including preparing local communities, identifying areas and groups most exposed to risks, securing the necessary resources, and accelerating humanitarian interventions before conditions deteriorate. Mogadishu believes that strengthening this link between forecasting and response would give African countries greater capacity to contain crises and reduce their humanitarian and economic costs.<\/p>\n

Mogadishu also called for increased financing for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, stressing that investment in prevention and early preparedness is more effective and less costly than waiting for disasters to occur and then addressing their consequences. The priorities presented by Somalia included support for climate-resilient infrastructure, improved water systems and drainage networks, stronger adaptation capacity within agricultural and pastoral sectors, and greater support for national institutions responsible for disaster risk management. The approach reflects Somalia\u2019s effort to make climate preparedness part of national planning and long-term development rather than a temporary response to emergencies.<\/p>\n

The African ministerial meeting underscored the importance of building a more integrated continental system for managing climate risks, based on the exchange of data and expertise and stronger cooperation among national institutions and specialized regional centers, while prioritizing countries and communities most exposed to risks. Participants also stressed the importance of expanding partnerships among African governments, the United Nations, international institutions, and donors to provide the resources and expertise required to build sustainable adaptation, preparedness, and disaster risk reduction capacities. These priorities are consistent with Somalia\u2019s call to make climate risk management a shared responsibility, strengthening Africa\u2019s ability to address growing crises and reducing their impact on food, water, and health security, stability, and development.<\/p>\n

Somalia\u2019s call comes amid growing climate risks across East Africa, where recurring droughts and floods have increasingly affected food and water security, livelihoods, displacement, and humanitarian needs. These challenges have prompted Somalia to strengthen the capacity of its disaster management institutions and advance an approach centered on forecasting, early warning, preparedness, and anticipatory response, while expanding cooperation with African and international partners. Against this backdrop, Mogadishu is seeking to bring its experience in managing climate emergencies into the continental framework and promote a more capable African system for anticipating risks, protecting communities, and strengthening resilience to the impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MOGADISHU \u2013 Somalia has called for stronger African preparedness to address potential climate risks associated with the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon in 2026, stressing that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and their expanding impact on vulnerable communities require a more proactive and coordinated continental approach to disaster risk management. The call comes as several …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-environment-and-disasters","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t