MOGADISHU – The Chairman of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), H.E. Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, officially launched a high-level National Consultation forum in Mogadishu yesterday to enhance emergency response systems for the country’s ongoing drought crises.

According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the forum introduces a new strategic approach that prioritizes women-led organizations in humanitarian interventions, ensuring effective field access and optimal deployment of relief resources.

Held at the Peace Hotel, the gathering brought together key stakeholders and international partners to examine the critical role of women’s rights groups in crisis management and their ability to lead relief operations in affected regions.

Discussions centered on approaches to transition women from being aid recipients to active decision-makers in planning and implementation, acknowledging their significant contribution to fostering community solidarity during environmental disasters.

As reported by the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the official highlighted that strong female participation represents a fundamental element for sustainable and equitable relief, emphasizing the incorporation of female leadership into the national response structure.

The Chairman noted that since women and children bear the brunt of climate impacts, female leadership is crucial to guarantee that response strategies properly target the specific requirements of the most vulnerable populations.

The consultation takes place in close cooperation with UN Women and international aid organizations to synchronize Somalia’s national disaster approaches with global benchmarks for gender-responsive humanitarian action.

This international collaboration seeks to improve the effectiveness of future interventions, making certain that emergency responses remain both inclusive and methodical, thereby minimizing human and economic damage resulting from extreme climate variations.

This endeavor signals a transformation in Somalia’s disaster management approach; SoDMA intends to establish a relief framework based on “local resilience,” with women’s leadership as a central element in advancing from crisis response to nationwide sustainability.