RCMRD Signs MoU with the Somali Disaster Management Agency to Enhance Early Warning Systems for Disaster Management
Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Director General of the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) Commissioner, Mr Mahamuud Moallim. The MoU, signed on September 20th, 2024, focused on enhancing collaboration on early warning systems and anticipatory approaches for disaster management. Additionally, the Federal Republic of Somalia delegation also visited the RCMRD data centre.
This visit highlights the continuous efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia and SoDMA to prepare for and respond to ongoing disasters in the country. Flooding caused by the rainy season from April to June affected over 268,359 people across more than 36 districts, displacing over 81,000 people, according to a Somalia situation report by UNOCHA. This collaboration will strengthen SoDMA and improve its ability to predict and respond to disasters before they occur. This will reduce the impact on vulnerable populations and ultimately build more disaster-resilient communities.
In addition, the 2024 RCMRD International Conference (RIC) themed “Earth: Our Only Home” and the 8th AfriGEO Symposium themed “Earth Intelligence for Africa” intensified discussions on leveraging Earth Observation (EO) data and solutions to drive sustainable development across various African sectors. During the MoU signing, the Federal Republic of Somalia delegation visited the Data Centre responsible for managing the geospatial database, with high-resolution datasets (imagery and elevation data), data management, and dissemination to member states, research institutions, and students.
RCMRD continues to fulfil its mission of strengthening the capacity of its member states and stakeholders by applying geo-information and allied technologies for sustainable development.