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Galkaio, Somalia | 27 October 2026: For journalists in Galkaio, reporting on disasters has often meant covering their aftermath. A new specialised training initiative by the Media Association of Puntland (MAP), in partnership with Free Press Unlimited (FPU), is helping shift that focus towards anticipating risks, communicating early warnings and strengthening public preparedness.
Conducted from 24 to 26 October with support from the Dutch Government-funded DANWADAAG program, the three-day training brought together 20 journalists from both sides of the city. It was the first opportunity for participating journalists to receive tailored training in disaster risk management reporting, introducing practical skills increasingly vital as Somalia faces the risks of the Deyr rainy season.
Unlike conventional journalism training, the specialised package connected disaster risk management knowledge with practical newsroom responsibilities. Journalists explored how to interpret weather forecasts, verify emergency information, communicate risks without causing panic and investigate gaps in public preparedness. Particular attention was given to making technical warnings understandable and relevant to vulnerable communities. |
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| “Journalism must do more than report a disaster after it happens. By delivering timely, credible information and questioning gaps in preparedness, journalists can help communities protect themselves and encourage institutions to act before lives are at risk,” said MAP Secretary General Naima Musse Elmi, at the inaugural session of the training. |
“Communities on both sides of Galkaio face shared risks. Building closer links between our newsrooms will help us verify information faster and deliver warnings that people can trust,” said Yusuf Omar of Radio Deegaan in Galkaio, Galmudug.
For Sahansaho Abdi of Radio Galkacyo in Puntland, the training reinforced the need to make disaster reporting more practical.
“Our reporting must answer the questions families are asking: Where is the danger? Who is most at risk? What can we do now? That means going beyond announcing a warning to explaining how people can protect themselves,” said Sahansaho Abdi. |
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By bringing journalists together in a shared learning environment, the initiative strengthened professional relationships and collaboration, helping improve information sharing, bridge communication gaps and promote a more coordinated media response to future emergencies.The training contributes to DANWADAAG’s broader goal of strengthening trust and accountability between communities and government through inclusive and transparent disaster risk management. By investing in specialised disaster reporting, the programme aims to equip journalists to deliver accurate, timely and responsible information, amplify community concerns and hold authorities accountable for disaster preparedness and response.
MAP calls for stronger cooperation between media outlets and disaster management authorities to ensure early warning information is accessible, credible and actionable, particularly for communities most exposed to disaster risks. |
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