Somali PM Chairs First Disaster Committee Meeting as Deyr Rains Approach.

Committee Convenes Ahead of Rainy Season

Mogadishu, 22 August 2026 — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre chaired the first meeting of the National Disaster Risk Management Committee on Saturday, as officials reviewed the country's drought situation and prepared for possible flooding in the upcoming Deyr rainy season. The Deyr rains are traditionally one of Somalia's two main rainy periods, and the meeting focused on plans to prevent and mitigate natural disasters, particularly flooding in riverine areas and low-lying catchment zones.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the meeting reviewed measures to strengthen emergency response and discussed preparedness for the seasonal rains. The committee presented reports on emergency preparedness, response plans, and awareness initiatives for communities at risk of flooding.

PM Directs Emergency Preparedness and Relief Coordination

The Prime Minister urged the committee to step up public awareness campaigns for communities in flood-prone areas and to develop effective emergency response plans. He specifically directed the committee to intensify public awareness on flood risks, particularly for communities living near rivers and waterways.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Barre directed the committee to coordinate relief efforts, mobilize support from donors and Somali businesses, and assist communities affected by recurring droughts and floods.

The committee presented updates on disaster preparedness, emergency response plans, and public awareness campaigns targeting communities in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Context: Drought, Food Insecurity, and Climate Forecasts

Somalia is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, including droughts and floods, which have repeatedly displaced communities, damaged infrastructure, and worsened food insecurity. According to the World Food Programme's Country Brief for August 2026, one third of Somalia's population—six million people—is facing acute hunger or worse, including nearly two million people in emergency levels of hunger. The WFP requires USD 198 million for the next six months but faces an urgent shortfall of USD 147 million.

The meeting comes as authorities prepare for the upcoming Deyr rainy season. The latest climate forecasts point to prolonged dry conditions through October, followed by an elevated risk of El Niño-related flooding before the end of the year. At a time when households are already struggling with weak purchasing power and repeated shocks, flooding could further disrupt livelihoods, markets, and food access.

The Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Ali Yusuf (Ali Xoosh), has warned the Somali public about the risk of floods and flash floods linked to the anticipated Super El Niño weather phenomenon. He urged communities to take precautionary measures.

Government and Agency Response Efforts

The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has been active in response efforts. SoDMA recently distributed emergency food aid to vulnerable families in the Caabudwaaq district of the Galgadud region. Commissioner Mahamuud Moallim Abdulle has led humanitarian assessment missions and launched relief efforts for displaced families in Beledhawo.

SoDMA has also convened high-level consultative forums with Islamic humanitarian organizations to confront the nation's severe and mounting drought crisis, with priority areas including water trucking, food security, healthcare services, and shelter for displaced populations.

In a broader effort to strengthen disaster resilience, Somalia has launched a World Bank-backed Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO) project to enhance its ability to respond to natural and climate-induced disasters. SoDMA has collaborated with the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in Nairobi to enhance data-driven decision-making in disaster response, and has sought to strengthen its partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with both agencies agreeing on the need for a joint strategic plan.

Building on Lessons from Past Disasters

The meeting builds on lessons from 2023, when floods and drought displaced 2.3 million people in Somalia and affected millions more. Officials emphasized the importance of translating planning into action, as past disasters have exposed limited government capacity. The committee's effectiveness will depend on securing adequate resources, authority, and coordination to avoid becoming a purely bureaucratic exercise.