The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahmoud Moallim Abdulle, represented the Federal Government of Somalia at a ministerial-level meeting organized by the African Union to discuss preparedness for and response to the anticipated impacts of Super El Niño 2026.

In his remarks, Commissioner Mahmoud Moallim Abdulle noted that, because of its geographical location, Somalia serves as the eastern gateway to Africa and is among the first countries on the continent to experience the effects of the El Niño and La Niña climate phenomena. He explained that these weather events can trigger floods, droughts, displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and damage to critical infrastructure and livelihoods.

The Commissioner called on the African Union, its Member States, and development partners to strengthen the sharing of climate information, increase investment in anticipatory action, and finance climate-resilient infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of translating early warning information into timely, effective action to protect lives, property, and livelihoods.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of a communiqué emphasizing the need to strengthen early warning systems, increase financing, reduce disaster risks, enhance climate change adaptation, deepen cooperation among African countries, and convene a continental conference before the end of 2026 to mobilize resources for El Niño preparedness and response.