Mogadishu, Somalia — The Deputy Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Dr. Ahmed Abdi Adan, and the Country Director of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in Somalia, Filip Lozinski, jointly launched the AHEAD Initiative in Mogadishu. The initiative focuses on strengthening early forecasting and anticipation of disaster risks that could lead to forced displacement.

The AHEAD Initiative places particular emphasis on the early identification, forecasting, and understanding of disaster risks and their potential impacts, enabling relevant institutions to take effective preparedness, prevention, and mitigation measures before situations escalate into major disasters and widespread displacement.

The launch event was chaired by the Director of SoDMA’s Disaster Risk Management Department, Mr. Khadar Sheikh Mohamed Nur, and attended by officials and representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations, and international and local organizations.

Participants highlighted the importance of cooperation and coordination in advancing disaster risk management, humanitarian response, durable solutions to displacement, and community resilience through reliable data, forecasts, and early warning information.

In his closing remarks, SoDMA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ahmed Abdi Adan said the AHEAD Initiative will play an important role in strengthening preparedness and early forecasting of disaster risks, helping reduce loss of life and property as well as the humanitarian impacts that may result from disasters.

Dr. Ahmed also emphasized the importance of collaboration, data sharing, and forecast-based early action to protect vulnerable communities and reduce the risks associated with disasters and forced displacement.