Somalia calls for homegrown climate resilience solutions
Officials at Mogadishu conference urge self-reliance and research-based planning amid waning international aid
MOGADISHU, Somalia (MNTV) — Somali leaders, researchers, and humanitarian experts have urged the development of locally driven, research-backed strategies to tackle the country’s escalating climate and disaster challenges, emphasizing national self-reliance as global aid declines.
The appeal was made during the ongoing Somali Resilience Conference in Mogadishu, co-organized by Mogadishu University and the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). The two-day gathering has drawn over 250 participants from government institutions, universities, and international partners to chart pathways toward stronger disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
Opening the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama highlighted the urgency of building domestic capacity, warning that international aid flows can no longer meet the country’s growing needs.
“Somalia alone needs billions of dollars, but there is no money,” Jama said. “The world has changed — people are no longer giving, they are selling and buying. Research should show that it is time for us to depend on ourselves.”
Mogadishu University President Ibrahim Mohamed Mursal stressed that disaster management requires sustained academic and institutional collaboration. “It is not something to be done only during crises,” he said. “Somalia today needs research-driven strategies to reduce vulnerability and improve coordination.”
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mohamed Abdi Hayir called for practical follow-up on conference recommendations, urging scholars and agencies to translate research into actionable policy measures.
“We ask the university and the agency to share with us the findings of this conference,” Hayir noted. “If you produce new research, please bring it to us — we need it for planning.”
SoDMA Commissioner Mahmoud Maalim said that overlapping crises — drought, floods, and conflict — continue to displace millions across the country. “Nearly three million people have been displaced by droughts, floods, or conflict,” he said. “Overall, around six million Somalis need humanitarian assistance. We cannot reach everyone, but we aim to help as many as possible.”
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia George Conway emphasized that the country faces disproportionate climate pressures and insufficient investment in preventive measures.
“Somalia is facing impacts beyond what many nations experience,” Conway warned. “Funding for preventive solutions has been unevenly reduced, leading to prolonged crises. This must change.”
Throughout the conference, 21 research papers are being presented, focusing on linking science, policy, and community engagement to strengthen national resilience. The forum is expected to conclude Thursday with key recommendations to inform Somalia’s long-term adaptation and disaster management strategies.
Somalia remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) Index, it ranks among the least prepared to cope with climate risks.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that up to 4.4 million Somalis could face acute food insecurity by early 2025, driven by persistent drought, conflict, and rising food costs.
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