Mandera, Kenya – October 2, 2025
The Department of Social Services, Special Programs, and Disaster Preparedness and Management in Mandera County held the inaugural meeting of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Technical Working Group, chaired by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Social Development, Mohamed Ali Omar.
The DRM Technical Working Group unites sector representatives and development partners to strengthen community resilience, particularly for vulnerable populations. The group serves as a central coordination platform to:
- Review the current drought situation and its sectoral impacts;
- Deliberate on preparedness and response strategies;
- Identify priority interventions and mobilize resources;
- Develop and update hazard maps to pinpoint disaster-prone areas;
- Operationalize and activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC);
- Develop operational plans for effective disaster response.
During the session, CECM Mohamed Ali Omar pledged to enroll Mandera County in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) platform, a UN-led global initiative launched in 2021. MCR2030 supports counties and cities in enhancing resilience to disasters and climate change, aligning with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) on sustainable cities and communities. The platform provides tools, knowledge resources, and collaborative opportunities to bolster local resilience efforts.
The Department expressed gratitude to Islamic Relief Kenya (IRK) for their support in facilitating the meeting. Mandera County remains committed to fostering a robust, inclusive, and proactive approach to disaster risk management, ensuring coordinated efforts across all sectors to safeguard communities.
