Garowe, Puntland, October 30, 2024: MAP, in partnership with Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and under the support of an EU-funded program, hosted a live talk show on climate change and disaster risk management.
Aired live in the evening of October 30 from the Radio Daljir station in Garowe, the two-hour prime-time event was streamed simultaneously on Daljir TV, Radio, and Facebook, captivating an audience of over 300,000 viewers across Puntland and beyond. This initiative provided a vital platform to bring community voices and expert perspectives together on critical environmental issues impacting the region.
Moderated by seasoned journalist Faduma Degan from Daljir, the show brought together a distinguished panel comprising officials from state and local authorities and environmental experts. The panel included Faaruq Dahir Ceegaag, Head of the Planning Department at Puntland’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; Abdikarim Adan Hussein, Head of the Disaster Risk Management Unit of Garowe’s local government; and renowned environmental expert Bashir Sh. Yusuf.
The discussion covered various critical topics, including the findings of Puntland’s recent climate change vulnerability assessment, which underscores the region’s unique challenges, such as floods, droughts, and deforestation. Director Faaruq highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives, which include the distribution of energy-efficient cooking stoves, tree planting campaigns, and public awareness efforts aimed at mitigating environmental degradation.
The live show encouraged robust audience participation, with viewers calling in and posting comments on social media throughout the event. This high level of engagement enabled the community to pose direct questions to officials, fostering a unique forum for transparency and accountability on issues that impact daily life in Puntland. Audience members expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of current environmental policies and government-led initiatives, specifically questioning the government’s strategies for managing plastic waste, disaster preparedness, and funding for climate initiatives.
A key topic of discussion was the government’s strategy for managing plastic waste. Abdikarim Adan Hussein emphasized the ongoing enforcement of a ban on plastic bags, which was mandated by President Said Abdullahi Deni in June 2024. He acknowledged the challenges in enforcing this ban, citing the continued availability of plastic bags in local shops, and stressed the necessity for community cooperation to overcome these obstacles.
The panel also addressed disaster preparedness efforts in light of escalating climate challenges. Faaruq Dahir Ceegaag detailed the implementation of a new climate change adaptation plan, which focuses on enhancing early warning systems and building community resilience. However, he expressed concerns about the lack of dedicated funding for climate initiatives.
Questions from the audience also centered on the establishment of recycling facilities in Puntland. Bashir Sh. Yusuf underscored the necessity of such facilities to improve waste management and proposed that future initiatives involve public-private partnerships to enhance community participation in recycling efforts.
To further raise public awareness of environmental risks, Yusuf suggested innovative strategies, including the introduction of an “arboricultural index” to encourage tree planting and the use of audiovisual materials to engage remote communities.
The panelists collectively acknowledged the importance of ongoing public dialogue and urged community members to participate in future forums and workshops, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and contribute to effective environmental policymaking.
This talk show represented a significant step towards promoting community-driven solutions to climate challenges, setting a precedent for continued discussions on sustainability and disaster risk management in Puntland.
The Media Association of Puntland (MAP), in collaboration with Free Press Unlimited (FPU) continues to affirm its role in fostering a well-informed, engaged society through platforms that prioritize community-driven solutions to environmental and disaster-related challenges.
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