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Plan urges proactive measures to safeguard Somali communities against possible drought

Nairobi, Kenya – 24 September 2024: The Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), is calling for urgent measures to help communities prepare for and adapt to the anticipated reduced rainfall season in Somalia. The call was made during the launch of the plan, titled, "La Niña: A Mitigation, Preparedness, and Response Plan," held in Nairobi, Kenya, aimed at protecting vulnerable communities from the anticipated impacts of drought.

This plan responds to FAO Somalia Water and Land Information Management Project (SWALIM) forecasts prediction of a 80 percent probability of La Niña conditions, which are typically associated with below-average rainfall and higher temperatures across Somalia.

“Given the projections of below-normal Deyr rainfall and above-normal temperatures, we must act decisively to mitigate the risk of escalating food insecurity.” said H.E. Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Kenya. “Anticipatory action is crucial to empower communities and enhance their resilience against potential drought impacts”

Projections indicate a likelihood of below-normal Deyr rainfall and above-normal temperatures, which could lead to severe soil moisture loss. These conditions are expected to result in poor crop and fodder productivity, and worsening food insecurity across vulnerable communities.

“This initiative represents a critical shift from reactive to proactive disaster management," said SODMA Commissioner Mahamuud Moallim. "Anticipatory action can significantly reduce the human and economic costs associated with drought, potentially saving lives and livelihoods."

With a funding requirement of USD 30 million, the plan focuses on early intervention to mitigate the effects of drought, reducing the need for large-scale humanitarian assistance down the road. The initiative prioritizes timely action to save lives and safeguard livelihoods.

Etienne Peterschmitt, FAO Somalia Representative weighed in, saying that “Investing in preparedness is not just cost-effective; it is essential to safeguarding lives and livelihoods.  We urge the international community to support this critical initiative, ensuring that Somali communities are resilient and better equipped to face future challenges”.

This initiative is especially urgent considering the severe drought conditions anticipated to follow on from the devastating floods of late 2023. The importance of anticipatory action is underscored by past experiences, such as the delayed response during the 2021-2022 drought, which resulted in the displacement of 1.4 million people and 43 000 deaths.

“The predicted below average rainfall is worrying us greatly because of the negative impact it is likely to have on communities who are yet to recover from previous droughts and floods,” said UNICEF Representative Wafaa Saeed. “By joining hands with SODMA and FAO now, we are taking early and preparatory action to mitigate suffering before the crisis fully unfolds.” 

Link to the plan

For more information, please contact:

Ismail Jimale, SODMA Head of Programme Unit: [email protected]

Masimba Nyamanhindi, FAO Somalia Communications Specialist: [email protected]

Victor Chinyama, UNICEF Chief of Communication, Advocacy & Partnerships: [email protected]