Mogadishu, Somalia: Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahmoud Ma’allin Abdulle, today opened a simulation exercise in Mogadishu to test Somalia’s preparedness for El Niño 2026 and the capacity of the national response system to manage sudden flooding and river flooding along the Juba and Shabelle rivers.

Organized by SoDMA in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the exercise brings together representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, international organizations, and local partners.

The exercise focuses on testing the generation, communication, and use of early warning information, risk assessment, inter-agency coordination, and early action, with the aim of translating forecast information into timely decisions to reduce flood impacts and protect vulnerable communities.

Commissioner Mahmoud Ma’allin Abdulle noted that Somalia has made progress in strengthening its early warning systems, but emphasized the importance of turning warnings into timely decisions and early action.

He further highlighted that the exercise is testing coordination, information sharing, and the mobilization of emergency support while identifying gaps and areas requiring improvement to reduce the impact of flooding and protect lives and livelihoods.