Somalia and Sweden strengthen partnership on emergency preparedness

The Chairman of Somalia’s National Disaster Management Authority (SoDMA), Mohamud Macalin Cabdulle, welcomed a delegation led by the new head of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Per Karlsson, accompanied by Ms. Cecelia, at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Mogadishu.

The NEOC, established with support from SIDA, is now fully operational and plays a central role in coordinating Somalia’s emergency response and disaster management efforts. Its functionality reflects Sweden’s continued commitment to supporting Somalia, particularly in strengthening community resilience and developing government institutions.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing strategic cooperation, improving national-level coordination, implementing anticipatory action measures, and boosting the capacity of rapid response operations.

The Swedish delegation also conducted an assessment of the various NEOC units, commending SoDMA for its preparedness to respond to emergencies, including the ongoing drought, and recognizing the authority’s continuous efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.

Chairman Cabdulle specifically praised Sweden’s support for Somalia’s disaster management efforts, highlighting the value of close collaboration between SoDMA and SIDA in building a resilient and effective emergency response system.

This visit underscores the strong partnership between Somalia and Sweden in addressing disaster risks and enhancing national emergency management capacities.