Somalia recently hosted a two-week national symposium on disaster resilience, organized jointly by the National Disaster Management Authority (SODMA) and the University of Mogadishu. The event brought together experts to present research and strategies for improving the country’s preparedness and response to disasters such as droughts, floods, and other climate-related hazards.
The symposium concluded with remarks from the First Deputy Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Sadiya Yasin Haji Samatar, and the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Khair. They commended the organizers and participants for their valuable contributions and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in building a more resilient Somalia.
Key insights and recommendations from the symposium included:
1. Enhancing collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations to tackle disaster risk reduction holistically.
2. Prioritizing scientific research and evidence-based policymaking to develop effective disaster management strategies.
3. Investing in capacity building and knowledge sharing to strengthen disaster preparedness at all levels.
4. Promoting community engagement and awareness to foster a culture of resilience.
5. Integrating disaster risk reduction into national development plans and sectoral policies.
The organizers, SODMA and the University of Mogadishu, expressed their commitment to making the symposium an annual event, facilitating continuous learning and knowledge exchange on disaster resilience. They acknowledged the challenges faced by SODMA in terms of limited resources and facilities but praised the dedication of their staff in achieving remarkable progress.
Overall, the national symposium highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated and science-driven approach to enhancing Somalia’s disaster resilience, emphasizing the crucial roles of research, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
