Towards More Effective Disaster Risk Management in Somalia

Across Somalia, communities face recurring floods and droughts, which place increasing pressure on local governments to improve their disaster preparedness, coordination, and response.

Solar panels help pump water from the dam in Shaxda village, Puntland. Photo: Tobin Jones/UNDP Somalia

Faisal Abdi Mumin and Kafi Nidamudin Adam are alumni of the DANWADAAG Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in Somalia who work on disaster risk management. Faisal is an environmentalist and social scientist with fifteen years of experience in urban infrastructure, climate action, and sustainable development. He works for the Somalia Urban Resilience Project at the municipality of Garowe. His colleague Kafi works as a senior adviser for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. With extensive experience in governance and development, they apply new approaches to strengthen disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and inclusive governance in their communities.

The Danwadaag programme, coordinated by VNG International, aims to improve the social contract through increased resilience to external shocks. The objective of the Training of Trainers programme implemented by The Hague Academy was to equip a team of trainers with the ability to train the staff of public authorities, local governments, and civil society organisations on disaster risk management. Moreover, the local trainers were trained to coach these organisations with developing action plans to address disaster risks.. Through the programme, Faisal and Kafi strengthened their facilitation and leadership skills and deepened their understanding of inclusive governance, in particular involving the community in reducing disaster risks. The programme encouraged participants to apply lessons directly within their own organisations and professional roles. For Faisal and Kafi, this approach enabled them to translate learning into action.

In Garowe, Faisal contributed to the design and implementation of stormwater drainage systems for roads and bridges, aimed at reducing flooding. Now, even when heavy rainfalls hit, the water can drain effectively and residents can travel safely within the municipality without road closures. Faisal played a key role in developing the Garowe Disaster Risk Management Plan (2024–2030), a framework for preparedness and response efforts in the municipality, and the Climate-Sensitive City Development Strategy, which ensures that the construction of new buildings and infrastructure is carried out according to climate resilience and inclusion principles.

Faisal at the opening of the Gambol Bridge in Garowe, officially inaugurated by the President of Puntland.

Kafi works on the World Bank’s Barwaaqo Programme in Somalia and Kenya which aims to develop water, agriculture, and environmental services for rural communities in Somalia’s drylands. Drawing on the participatory methods he learned in the Training of Trainers programme, he now designs and delivers training for mayors, district officials, journalists, and community leaders. The training he gives aims to strengthen the coordination and communication between all stakeholders during crises and support longer-term preparedness and resilience at the local level.

Kafi Nidamudin Adam training fellow trainers on disaster risk management.

Beyond their individual roles, Faisal and Kafi contribute to a broader culture of collaboration and continuous learning. Through peer mentoring and knowledge exchange, they create opportunities for others to benefit from the methodologies introduced during the programme. Faisal shares expertise on integrating environmental, climate, and inclusion considerations into urban planning and safeguard processes. Kafi advises on training design and stakeholder engagement, helping them adapt participatory approaches to their own contexts.

Both share a vision for a Somalia where local governments can effectively prepare for and manage climate-related disasters by involving local leaders and communities. As Faisal reflects:

“The Training transformed my knowledge, skills, and attitudes into practical leadership and technical contributions. It helped me connect global best practices to Somalia’s local realities.”

If you would like to learn more about how local governments – in cooperation with national and local stakeholders – can develop strategies that respond to current and future climate change, see our course on Local Climate Response.