In May 2023, VNG International organized under its DANWADAAG programme a Conference on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in cooperation with the Association of Local Government Authorities of Somaliland (ALGASL) for their member districts and representatives of Public Authorities. The conference brought together key stakeholders from municipalities throughout Somaliland to foster inclusive and effective DRM practices. The two target districts of the DANWADAAG programme in Somaliland, Hargeisa and Burao presented the achievements of the newly-established DRM Units in the Hargeisa and Burao districts while guiding their replication in other municipalities.

With over 13 mayors and deputy mayors, along with 15 high-level delegates from local governments from all over Somaliland, the Director-General of the Ministry of Environment, the Director of Planning from the Somaliland National Disaster Preparedness and Food Reserve Authority (NADFOR) , the Ministry of Interior, and ALGASL in attendance, the conference firstly served as a crucial platform for sharing experiences and exploring innovative strategies for disaster risk management. The round table discussions, were successful in facilitating dynamic conversations. These discussions revolved around the establishment, management, and integration of DRM Units within the broader work of municipalities, emphasizing the significance of inclusive and transparent DRM.

Additionally, during the conference, the DRM Units of the Hargeisa and Burao districts presented their accomplishments and engaged in meaningful discussions on how to address the challenges they encountered. The participants provided constructive feedback, contributing to the continuous improvement of these units and their long-term sustainability.

Importantly, the conference also featured a comprehensive step-by-step guide for the establishment of DRM Units, ensuring that interested municipalities have a clear roadmap to follow. As part of this, expert insights and lessons learned from similar initiatives in other contexts were shared, further enriching the knowledge and capacity of the participants.

On the whole, the event emphasized the importance of DRM Units in enhancing government legitimacy and strengthening the social contract between communities and public authorities.

Furthermore, the success of the conference highlights the commitment of the DANWADAAG consortium (VNG International, CARE Netherlands, Free Press Unlimited, and MediaINK) and its partners to foster efficient, effective, and inclusive disaster risk management practices. By bringing together key stakeholders, the conference contributed to the achievement of DANWADAAG's outcomes, including:

• Increased community contribution;
• Improved support from civil society organizations;
• Enhanced provision and coordination of DRM by public authorities;
• And increased dissemination of relevant DRM information through media channels.

The knowledge and experiences gained from the conference will play a crucial role in scaling up DRM efforts across Somaliland. By empowering local governments and fostering increased collaboration between public authorities and their communities, the conference has laid the groundwork for enhanced disaster preparedness, response, and resilience in the region.