By Asha Elmi - Reporter
ADDIS ABABA, September 18, 2026 Member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development have adopted a joint plan to mitigate the impact of El Niño as forecasts point to an increased risk of heavy rainfall and flooding across parts of the Horn of Africa.
The call to action was adopted at a high-level regional forum that concluded in Addis Ababa on Thursday and brought together IGAD member states, development partners and humanitarian agencies.
IGAD said El Niño conditions had developed and were expected to strengthen during the remainder of 2026. Regional forecasts indicate an increased likelihood of above-normal rainfall from October to December in southern Ethiopia, central and southern Somalia and northeastern Kenya.
Member states agreed to activate national and local contingency plans before the rains, pre-position emergency supplies in high-risk areas and protect roads, bridges, schools, health facilities and water systems.
The plan also calls for the timely exchange of weather forecasts, river-flow data, flood warnings and human and animal disease alerts between neighbouring countries.
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IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware said coordinated regional action, early warning systems and anticipatory measures were essential to strengthening resilience across the region.
IGAD said every dollar invested in anticipatory action could save as much as $7 in losses that might otherwise result from disasters.
Somalia’s National Disaster Management Agency Chairman Mohamud Moallin Abdulle presented measures being taken by the Somali government to prepare for El Niño and potential flooding, the agency said.
IGAD also urged donors and financial institutions to provide predictable and flexible funding before the October-to-December rainy season reaches its peak.