Somalia Concludes National Conference on Developing the Anticipatory Action Strategy for Disaster Preparedness
Somalia has concluded a national conference on finalizing its Anticipatory Action Strategy, a landmark framework aimed at strengthening disaster prediction, preparedness, and rapid response across the country.
The Commissioner of the Somali National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahamuud Maalin Abdulle, officially closed a national-level conference in Mogadishu focused on formulating Somalia’s Anticipatory Action Strategy, an overarching framework designed to improve early preparedness and rapid response to disasters across the country.
The three-day conference brought together government ministries, humanitarian actors, and technical experts to discuss practical measures for strengthening the nation’s capacity to predict, prepare for, and mitigate the impacts of natural and human-induced disasters.
Key action points were agreed upon, reflecting a unified commitment to enhancing Somalia’s ability to manage crises before they escalate. The development and launch of the National Anticipatory Action Strategy is seen as a landmark step toward building a more resilient Somalia that is capable of forecasting risks and taking preventive measures to safeguard lives and property.
High-level representatives from DRC, FAO, WFP, and IGAD delivered congratulatory remarks, praising Somalia’s collaborative approach and reaffirming their continued support for anticipatory action systems. They emphasized the importance of coordinated early warning mechanisms and rapid response planning, especially in a country frequently affected by droughts, floods, and climate-related shocks.
Closing the conference, Chairman Mahamuud Macalin highlighted that the strategy reflects extensive technical work, national consultations, and strong cooperation between government institutions, IGAD, and international partners. The initiative was supported through the SCALAA project, funded by DG ECHO and implemented by WFP, FAO, IFRC, DRC, and ICPAC.
In recent months, the process included nationwide consultations, technical assessments, and review sessions involving SoDMA, federal ministries, humanitarian agencies, and development organizations. These discussions ensured that the strategy is evidence-based, aligned with Somalia’s current realities, and tailored to the country’s urgent and long-term disaster preparedness needs.
The adoption of this strategy underscores Somalia’s growing commitment to coordinated, predictive, and proactive disaster management, shifting from reactive responses to a future grounded in resilience, early action, and national readiness.
