The symposium, titled “About the Disappearance of a World“, focused on the critical responsibilities of aid and human rights organizations in addressing war, disasters, migration, the climate crisis, and the role of today’s media and journalists as frontline defenders and witnesses.

SJS Secretary-General Abdalle Mumin participated as a panelist, emphasizing that the climate crisis is not just an environmental concern, but also a manifestation of historical and ongoing global power imbalances. He illustrated this with the example of the 2021 floods in Germany that claimed over 180 lives and triggered billions in recovery aid, compared to the 2022 drought in Somalia which killed 43,000 people—mostly children—with far less international attention.

“Yet climate-linked migration is often framed as a security threat in Europe and beyond, justifying walls, detention, and militarization, rather than addressing the root causes,” said Mr. Mumin.

Somalia remains one of the countries most severely affected by the climate crisis, with millions forced into displacement after losing their livelihoods. Floods and recurrent droughts continue to claim lives—mostly among vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Since 2022, SJS has partnered with Medico International to train more than 60 local journalists—including those from communities directly affected by floods in southern and central Somalia—to report on climate change and raise awareness around climate justice.

Journalists, including those within the SJS network, have also been victimized by recurrent droughts and floods, often compounded by ongoing conflicts.

This SJS-Medico International initiative not only engaged journalists and media professionals but also brought together local authorities, community leaders, and human rights defenders to seek solutions to this persistent crisis.

“Journalists play a critical role in shaping climate policy, raising awareness among local communities—including displaced persons—and assisting them in developing mitigation and adaptation strategies,” added Mr. Mumin. “When empowered, the media’s influence on public opinion is substantial, and how climate issues are reported and understood directly impacts the discourse and the solutions provided to affected communities.”

At the Frankfurt symposium, discussions also highlighted the massive budget cuts in climate action and the increasing securitization of climate-induced migration.

However, one powerful outcome was a renewed call for global solidarity and a reminder that hope must not be lost. Journalists were recognized for their role in ensuring that the world does not silently disappear.

“I believe our greatest task is to ask ourselves how we can be better humans—to each other, to our communities, to those forced to flee, and to our disappearing world,” Mr. Mumin added “In a time where rising seas erase coastlines, where families are displaced by conflict and climate, and where walls are built faster than bridges—it’s easy to feel hopeless. But journalists can, and must, carry this responsibility effectively.”

The final message concluded with Mr. Mumin reciting a verse from a song by the renowned Somali singer, the late Luul Jeylani, who more than three decades ago poignantly connected themes of love, sustenance, and human appreciation. She sang:

‘A man who plants sorghum in a pit, will reap it when the rains fall, he will not lose it.

It is only right to appreciate each other. The favor you showed me, I’ve cherished with.

Is it fair for me to cut ties with you?’

SJS extends its sincere gratitude to Medico International for organizing this impactful symposium. We also deeply appreciate the warm welcome and rich exchanges with fellow journalists, academics, NGO leaders, and solidarity groups during the event in Frankfurt.

(Source: SJS)

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This season contributes up to 60% of the annual rainfall in many parts of the region, making its forecast vital for planning and preparedness.

Key Highlights from the Forecast

Much of Somalia, eastern and northern Kenya, southern and northeastern Ethiopia, Djibouti, coastal Eritrea, western South Sudan, southern and western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and northwestern Tanzania are likely to experience below-average rainfall.

Enhanced dry conditions are anticipated in cross-border areas of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, as well as parts of northeastern Ethiopia, southern Eritrea, and southwestern South Sudan.

Wetter-than-normal conditions are forecasted for most of Tanzania, eastern Uganda, eastern South Sudan, and western Ethiopia.

South-western Ethiopia, western Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have a high likelihood (over 70%) of receiving over 200 mm of rainfall during the season.

Higher temperatures are expected across the region, with the highest probabilities (over 75%) in Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, northern Somalia, and northern Kenya.

An early to normal onset of rains is predicted in most areas, except central Kenya, southern Ethiopia, and central Somalia, where delays are expected.

The forecasted conditions are likely to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including women, children, older persons, and individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Abdi Fidar, Officer-in-Charge at ICPAC, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, stating:

“As the IGAD region faces increasing climate variability and extremes—droughts, floods, and rising temperatures—platforms like GHACOFs are essential for building a shared understanding of risks and fostering collaboration to mitigate their impacts.”

He further highlighted the theme of the forum, “Climate Services for Closing the Early Warning Gap Together,” stressing the need for timely and actionable climate information.

Mr. Motumma Mekasa, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Water and Energy, praised IGAD’s role in regional integration and combating climate change, saying:

“IGAD’s initiatives towards mitigating and combating the effects of climate change are essential for sustainable development and safeguarding livelihoods in the region.”

In alignment with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recommendations, ICPAC utilized forecasts from nine Global Producing Centres (GPCs) to develop the MAM 2025 seasonal outlook.

The forecast reflects ICPAC’s commitment to providing accurate and actionable climate information for the Greater Horn of Africa.

ICPAC urges governments, humanitarian organizations, and stakeholders to take proactive measures to mitigate the anticipated impacts of the forecasted climatic conditions, especially for vulnerable communities.

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However, recurrent droughts caused by climate change and the subsequent seizure of Al-Shabaab by the rural villages forced Sahro and her children to flee to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Baidoa, the interim capital of South West State.

Today, this camp is their home.

Climate change, which has devastated farmlands and led to massive livestock losses, has hit rural families hardest—especially women with children.

These challenges have plunged many into extreme poverty and hardship.

As the sole provider for her family, Sahro has taken on unconventional work for women in Somalia, such as construction labor, to make ends meet.

“When people arrive at IDP camps, they face a harsh reality,” Sahro says. “There’s no consistent aid, and most of us have to find daily jobs in the city just to feed our families.”

Each morning, Sahro heads to a construction site, where she carries heavy stones and cement.

Her hard day’s labor earns her a small wage of upto three dollars, which she uses to buy food for her children. In the evening, she returns to her makeshift shelter in the camp, where her children wait eagerly for her to prepare a meal from her earnings.

A Nation in Crisis

According to the United Nations, nearly four million people are internally displaced in Somalia as of 2024, driven by conflict, insecurity, drought, and floods.

Regions like Baay, Bakool, and the Shabelle River valleys—once the breadbasket of Somalia—now face widespread hunger due to environmental degradation.

For families like Sahro’s, displacement is not just a temporary hardship but an ongoing struggle to survive in camps that lack basic services such as healthcare and education.

The temporary nature of these camps exposes women and children to heightened risks, and the hope of returning home remains dim as conflicts continue and climate change worsens.

Sahro reflects on her life before displacement, unaware at the time of the environmental toll caused by charcoal production—a practice that contributed to the deforestation and environmental degradation now devastating her community.

The destruction of her environment led to the death of her livestock, forcing her and her children into displacement.

For Sahro and countless others, survival now depends on adapting to urban livelihoods while clinging to the hope of one day returning to their ancestral lands—a hope that grows fainter with each passing day.

--
Reporting by Nurto Mohamed in Baidoa. This report is part of climate change coverage in Somalia by local journalists participating in a training program provided by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) with support from Medico International.

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On Monday, locals said they found one dead whale along the beach. By the evening, a second whale was also reported to have washed ashore, sparking alarm among the community.

The cause of these incidents remains unclear, and there has been no official statement from Puntland authorities or local officials regarding the stranded whales.

Somalia has long struggled with the effects of climate change and marine pollution, which continue to threaten marine ecosystems.

Reports in the past have highlighted the discovery of toxic barrels along the country’s coasts, including in central, southern, and northeastern regions.

These barrels, suspected to be industrial waste, were allegedly dumped in Somali waters, although no independent investigations have been conducted to confirm these claims.

Fishermen in Bareeda have expressed concerns over declining fish stocks, attributing it to the impacts of climate change and worsening environmental pollution in the ocean.

Despite recurring reports of toxic waste and environmental degradation along Somalia’s coastline, neither the Somali government nor Puntland authorities have addressed the issue publicly.

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Held from December 17 to 19, 2024, the conference brought together ministry officials, regional mayors elected in the recent democratic elections as well as officials from the Puntland Parliament.

They focused on empowering local governments while emphasizing climate resilience in a region increasingly vulnerable to climate shocks.

Puntland, like the rest of Somalia, faces recurring droughts, desertification, and environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change.

The Director General of the Ministry of Interior of Puntland, Mohamed Ali Farah said these climate crisis continue to threaten livelihoods, exacerbate food insecurity, and displace communities.

Against this backdrop, the three-day conference underscored the urgency of sustainable practices and environmental conservation as integral to governance and development.

Key Environmental Safeguards from the Conference:

Environmental Protection: A commitment to halt deforestation, prevent wildlife poaching, and combat widespread environmental degradation that has significantly impacted Puntland’s fragile ecosystems.

Regulation of Urban Expansion: The establishment of strict guidelines to prevent unauthorized urbanization and land development, ensuring sustainable land use policies.

Conservation Advocacy: Promoting awareness and enforcement of policies to protect Puntland’s natural resources from exploitation and unsustainable practices.

Community-Led Climate Action: Encouraging municipalities to adopt climate-sensitive development strategies and integrate environmental protection into local governance.

International Collaboration: Urging the global community and development partners to prioritize funding for climate adaptation and environmental conservation projects in Puntland’s most affected regions.

Broader Commitments

In addition to addressing climate issues, the conference also focused on enhancing governance and accountability in the northeastern part of Somalia.

Key outcomes included improving local government revenue collection, establishing a Puntland District Development Fund, and strengthening the collaboration between municipalities and the central government.

The Ministry of Interior has committed to fast-tracking the review of local government policies, incorporating climate resilience into development strategies, and hosting annual conferences to monitor progress.

By prioritizing climate action in its governance agenda, Puntland is positioning itself as a leader in tackling environmental challenges in the Horn of Africa.

The decisions from this conference reflect a growing recognition of the critical link between sustainable development and environmental stewardship in a region disproportionately affected by climate shocks.

“This conference is a step forward in safeguarding Puntland’s environment and building resilience against climate change,” said Director General of the Ministry, Mohamed Ali Farah.

The conference outcomes serve as a call to action for local and international stakeholders to support Puntland’s vision for a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

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In the inaugural year of implementing the Strategy, USAID has significantly increased its climate-related investments, launched innovative initiatives, and expanded its efforts to address the global climate crisis across more countries than ever before.

Administrator Samantha Power introduced the Strategy in April 2022, outlining USAID’s comprehensive approach to reducing worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, aiding partner countries in building resilience against climate change through the implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), and enhancing the Agency’s operations.

During Fiscal Year 2022, USAID successfully preserved over 60 million hectares of carbon-rich lands, including tropical forests, encompassing an area larger than California. The Agency mobilized more than $340 million in public and private financing to support countries in adapting to climate change, a critical contribution considering the existing shortfall in climate adaptation investments globally.

Additionally, USAID collaborated with nations to provide clean power to millions of people while simultaneously reducing emissions, employing measures such as competitive renewable energy auctions and enhanced energy efficiency initiatives.

USAID says it has also advanced climate-positive development practices throughout its operations, recognizing the profound impact of the climate crisis on all aspects of sustainable development. For instance, the Agency provided 250,000 farmers in Bangladesh with access to real-time and location-specific weather advisories, resulting in an average savings of $467 for farmers by avoiding losses caused by climate-related disasters—a crucial financial buffer in a country where the average annual income is less than $3,000. Furthermore, USAID launched and funded several new initiatives that promote gender-equitable climate action, including the establishment of the USAID Climate Gender Equity Fund.

The Agency has taken significant strides toward making its own operations more environmentally sustainable. On June 20, the General Services Administration announced its commitment to fully electrify and install heat pumps at USAID’s headquarters using funds allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act, thereby transforming the building into a net-zero emissions facility.

These achievements build upon USAID’s broader endeavors to foster responsible stewardship of environmental and natural resources. Earlier this month, USAID revealed that its Save Our Seas Initiative successfully prevented the equivalent of 6.5 billion plastic bottles from polluting the oceans in 2022.

While acknowledging that much work lies ahead, USAID recognizes the need for increased investment and ambition to address the scale of the climate crisis. The Agency remains committed to building upon this foundation throughout the critical decade for climate action.

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The organization is calling for wealthier nations to commit to comprehensive debt relief, including loan cancellations, and to increase international support to vulnerable states.

The summit, taking place over two days, aims to address the pressing challenges faced by lower-income countries and ensure that financial pledges made by wealthier nations are honored.

Amnesty International emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of people in lower-income countries and stresses the need for coordinated international action, debt restructuring, and debt cancellation to alleviate unsustainable levels of debt.

The organization also calls for the establishment of a global social protection fund to assist countries struggling to provide adequate protections.

Amnesty International highlights the connection between climate change and debt distress, urging wealthier states to fulfill their commitments to provide climate finance and help vulnerable nations mitigate and adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis.

The organization underscores the urgency of the situation and encourages leaders to seize the opportunity for progress at the G20 Leaders’ Summit and COP28 climate meeting later in the year.

Amnesty International emphasizes the importance of tax and financial reform to create a more inclusive and equitable global financial system.

While expressing concerns about some aspects of the summit, the organization calls for the protection of the rights of marginalized populations and a shift away from fossil fuels towards economic and social rights.

The summit was inspired by the Bridgetown Initiative, an agreement reached in 2022 in Barbados to address the debt, climate, and cost-of-living crises.

Over 50 heads of state or government are expected to attend the summit.

Amnesty International draws on the UN guiding principles on foreign debt and human rights, which provide guidance on the obligations and responsibilities of debtors and lenders in relation to human rights.

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The project, funded by a $3.8 million grant from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window for low-income African countries, is set to span three years from 2023 to 2025. The Djibouti Roads Agency has been entrusted with the responsibility of executing the project.

During the launch event, a delegation engaged in separate discussions with Djibouti government officials, shedding light on the African Disaster Risk Management Financing Program (ADRiFi) and its potential benefits. In meetings with Djibouti’s Finance Minister and Governor of the Bank, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, the delegation outlined the objectives and components of the ADRiFi program, emphasizing its ability to enhance flood risk mitigation in Djibouti.

Additionally, the program aims to strengthen the capacity of national stakeholders involved in disaster risk management and facilitate the development of a national disaster risk financing strategy. Minister Dawaleh expressed his support for Djibouti’s involvement in the program, highlighting its potential to enhance the country’s resilience.

Similar discussions took place with Djibouti’s Minister of Infrastructure and Equipment, Hassan Houmed Ibrahim, who actively participated in the fruitful deliberations.

In February 2023, the African Development Bank adopted a new 2023-2027 Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Djibouti, signaling its commitment to fostering inclusive growth through accelerated structural transformation and economic diversification.

The CSP places significant emphasis on the development of socio-economic infrastructure in the energy and transport sectors. This includes initiatives to improve mobility, promote trade, and expand the production and distribution of cleaner and more affordable energy.

As of May 31, 2023, the African Development Bank’s active portfolio in Djibouti amounted to $87 million, supporting 11 projects across various sectors such as transport, energy, social services, governance, and agriculture.

With these comprehensive endeavors, the African Development Bank is working in partnership with Djibouti to bolster the country’s infrastructure, enhance climate resilience, and foster sustainable economic growth for the benefit of its people.

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A new study by researchers in Britain looks at which places are most at risk from a heat wave, focusing on those that have not suffered an extreme hot spell since at least 1959 and so may not be as prepared.

Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg all make the list, as do parts of China and developing nations like Afghanistan and Papua New Guinea.

As the planet warms, the range of possible temperatures that many places can experience has expanded. Scorching heat that would once have counted as unusual is becoming more common.

But the weather has always varied a great deal, and the most exceptional events are ones that, by definition, people haven’t experienced very often.

The study looks only at maximum temperatures, which aren’t the only factor that can make heat waves devastating.

Humidity is also important, as are sweltering overnight temperatures, which eliminate opportunities for people to cool down from oppressive daytime conditions.

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