MOGADISHU, SOMALIA – Mr. Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, the Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), opened a crucial workshop today to present the Capacity Development and Resource Mobilization Implementation Plan, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in a significant step to strengthen the foundations of humanitarian and national security. The important event, held for a single day at the NAC Hotel in the Aden Adde International Airport area in Mogadishu, brought together high-level representatives from various UN agencies, international organizations, and senior SoDMA officers.

In his opening address, Mr. Abdulle emphasized that the agency’s efforts are not merely institutional objectives but are “commitments made to the Somali people” to address the devastating impacts of climate change, droughts, floods, and other disasters. He clarified that Somalia’s capacity in this field lies in “participation, coordination, and joint work,” noting that no single agency can tackle these challenges alone.

He reiterated the importance of partnership with international organizations, particularly the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which has provided crucial technical and financial support. He highlighted that collaboration is the cornerstone for achieving the agency’s vision of transitioning from a rapid response approach to a proactive and preventive one based on science and data.

In a bold move, Mr. Abdulle announced the establishment of the “National Disaster Risk Management Fund” in accordance with the agency’s foundational law. This fund is intended to finance awareness-raising efforts, emergency response, and short-term reconstruction and recovery, ensuring an evidence-based decision-making culture.

Mr. Abdulle concluded his speech by calling for these meetings to be turned into practical and tangible actions, and for the necessary resources to be mobilized to strengthen preparedness and resilience, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to “serve the Somali people with transparency and hope.”

The opening session featured supportive speeches from key international partners, who affirmed their commitment to supporting SoDMA’s new vision. In this regard, Mr. Etienne Peterschmitt, the FAO Representative, noted that “This meeting marks a crucial step toward strengthening Somalia’s resilience to climate change, and we at the FAO are committed to providing the necessary technical support to ensure SoDMA’s plans are practical on the ground.”

For his part, Mr. Marco Silva, the WFP Deputy Country Director, stated that “This ambitious program reflects a paradigm shift from a focus on humanitarian response to building sustainable solutions. By working together, we can reduce the reliance on emergency aid and build a safer future for the Somali people.”

Furthermore, Mr. Crispien Rukasha, Head of the OCHA Office, emphasized the importance of “strong national leadership in disaster management. Strengthening SoDMA’s capabilities is an investment in Somalia’s future, and we at OCHA fully support this comprehensive approach that ensures effective coordination among all partners.”

Following the opening remarks, a comprehensive presentation of the Capacity Development and Resource Mobilization Implementation Plan was delivered by Mr. Mohamed Hirsi, the Director of the Research and Training Centre at the Agency. The presentation, which was professional and well-structured, reviewed the results of the evaluation conducted this year on the different departments of the agency, along with the ambitious vision towards enhancing national capacities in disaster management. He stressed the importance of science and research as fundamental pillars for building a more resilient Somalia, capable of protecting its people from increasing humanitarian challenges.

He also noted that this plan is a direct implementation of the articles related to the agency’s work within the National Transformation Plan. The presentation sparked a lively discussion moderated by Dr. Ismail Jimale, Head of the Program Development Unit and sessions facilitator.

The participants praised the efforts made by the agency, confirming that they represent a qualitative leap in the work methodology. They also had a fruitful exchange of views and participated in the “Partners’ Reflections” and “Resource Mobilization Discussion and Dialogue” sessions, where they identified gaps and explored synergies to enhance collaboration.

The workshop concluded with a closing speech by Dr. Ismail Jimale on behalf of the Commissioner, in which he reiterated the importance of converting the workshop’s outcomes into practical actions and expressed gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and commitment.