The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mr. Mahmoud Ma’allin Abdulle, has stated that recurrent disasters, particularly droughts and floods driven by climate change, pose a significant challenge to Somalia’s economic growth and community resilience.

The Commissioner made these remarks during the launch of the 2026 National Economic Report by the National Economic Council (NEC). He emphasized that investment in early warning systems, disaster risk prevention, and community resilience is essential for the country’s long-term economic development.

He noted that disasters negatively affect national production, livestock exports, livelihoods, and government revenue. They also increase emergency response expenditures while diverting resources away from investment in social services and national development.

In conclusion, the SoDMA Commissioner called for sustained allocations in the national budget to disaster risk reduction and urged stronger collaboration among the government, financial institutions, the private sector, and the Somali diaspora to support disaster prevention, recovery, reconstruction, and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities.