Aden Omar's story of survival amid devastating floods in Beledweyne.

Aden Omar, a 45-year-old farmer in Beledweyne, recounts a famous Somali tale of an elephant who was warned of an impending insect attack.  Unperturbed because of his size, the elephant retorted, ‘How big could these insects be?  After all, insects are very tiny, small as fingernails, and I am huge. The insects cannot harm me’. Unknown to the elephant, the tiny insects were lethal. Before he knew it, they had sneaked into his body, including his ears. He had been unprepared for this attack, even after being warned.

But like the elephant, Aden Omar and his family faced a similar threat when floods loomed on the horizon. Yet, unlike the oblivious thick-skinned animal, they recognized the importance of being prepared and heeded the early warnings provided by FAO and the government. Moving swiftly to higher ground, they avoided the low-lying areas where the floods would strike. In doing so, they secured their essential belongings and, most importantly, saved lives.

As a farmer, Aden is always in his field, tending to his crops and providing for his family. The green fields defy the persistent agonies caused by climate change, including floods and drought.  Even as he recounts the horrors of last year’s flood, his crops are a source of hope, providing food for his family.

Aden, and his community found themselves in the path of raging floods that devastated many parts of Somalia last year. Aden and his fellow farmers turned to FAO for guidance and support. FAO's timely warnings and advice empowered them to take proactive measures, moving to higher grounds in preparation for the impending floods.

Despite their preparations, the floods brought hardship and displacement to Aden's community. Daily life became a struggle as they failed to connect with neighboring villages, and the once-thriving farmlands succumbed to the relentless waters.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the floods, Said Aden, “The floods devastated our crops and livelihoods”. He recounts how lemon trees and hay grass, once flourishing, lay submerged beneath the floodwaters, leaving Aden to navigate the difficult task of rebuilding his farm from the ground up.

But amid the challenges, Aden, and his community recount how FAO's infrastructure initiatives, under the Badbaado project, prevented a total calamity.  The project was implemented as part of FAO’s broader El Niño preparedness, mitigation, and response programme. With support from the British Embassy Mogadishu, FAO has bolstered critical flood defenses, fixing damaged areas (rehabilitating breakage points) along the canal and river embankments in high-risk areas across Beledweyne, Jowhar, Afgoye, Luuq, Dollow, and Baardheere districts.

The interventions were largely informed by a robust evidence-based early warning system led by FAO-Somalia Land and Water Management (SWALIM) flood model.

‘We’ve now returned to our routine by tending to our trees, planting new ones, watering and fertilizing the land, clearing debris, and preparing it for cultivation,’ said Aden.

As Aden reflects on his journey, he emphasizes the importance of preparedness and adaptation in the face of natural disasters. Drawing from his experiences, he urges development partners to increase coverage of flood defenses to ensure they protect more farming communities.

As the sun sets over Beledweyne, casting a golden hue over the resilient farmlands, Aden Omar stands tall, a symbol of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity.

In reflecting on the elephant tale, Aden Omar emphasizes the importance of taking heed when warned of risks, regardless of one's perceived strength or stature. It serves as a poignant reminder of the value of preparedness and the critical role of early warnings in mitigating disaster. Through their proactive response, Aden Omar and his family survived, showing the power of timely information and defense infrastructure in the face of adverse disasters.