MOGADISHU — Somalia’s disaster management authorities have launched a nationwide effort to strengthen cooperation with the media as the country prepares for the expected impacts of Super El Niño 2026, placing greater emphasis on early warning systems and public awareness.
The meeting, convened on Saturday by the Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahmoud Moallim, brought together representatives from state and local media organizations, government institutions and climate officials to coordinate communication strategies ahead of the anticipated weather event.
Officials said the initiative aims to ensure that communities receive timely, accurate and accessible information on potential flooding, displacement and other climate-related risks associated with Super El Niño.
Among those attending were Dr. Mohamed Saney Dalmar, Director General at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and Liban Absiye, Executive Director of Somalia’s National Climate Fund at the Ministry of Finance.
Addressing participants, Commissioner Moallim described the media as a critical partner in disaster preparedness, urging closer coordination between public institutions, humanitarian agencies and journalists to improve the reach and credibility of early warning messages.
The gathering concluded with a joint communiqué reaffirming the importance of coordinated preparedness efforts and calling for stronger collaboration to help vulnerable communities respond to the anticipated impacts of Super El Niño.
Somalia remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate extremes, having endured repeated cycles of severe drought and devastating floods in recent years. Authorities and humanitarian agencies have increasingly shifted their focus toward early warning and anticipatory action, arguing that timely information can significantly reduce the human and economic costs of climate-related disasters.
