Somalia boosts search and rescue operations through international SAR exercises

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Wednesday October 2, 2024

Somali authorities monitor maritime traffic at the Somali Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) during a simulation exercise in Mogadishu to improve search and rescue coordination. Credit/ EUCAP Somalia

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia is intensifying its efforts to boost its search and rescue (SAR) operations in both the maritime and aeronautical sectors. Two major initiatives launched with EUCAP Somalia and other European allies aim to address the country's long-standing gaps in emergency response.

In Mogadishu, officials conducted a table-top exercise designed to simulate emergency maritime scenarios. The exercise, organized by EUCAP Somalia and the EU's Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO II) project, involved key Somali agencies like the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the Somali Police Force's Coast Guard. Participants used the Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) platform to enhance real-time communication with MRCCs in Mombasa and Yemen.

At Aden Adde International Airport, a separate meeting between maritime and aeronautical authorities marked a major step in cross-sector collaboration. For the first time, key officials from the Somali MRCC and the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) sat down to outline how they would coordinate SAR operations in line with international standards. Mr. Mirawk Mohamud Ahmed, the MRCC's designated point of contact, and Mr. Abdi Aden, the SCAA's SAR manager, led discussions on synchronizing operations to ensure that Somalia's rescue efforts are swift, unified, and effective.

Mr. Mirawk Mohamud Ahmed emphasized that the meeting marked a significant initial step in coordinating efforts between Somalia's maritime and aeronautical SAR centers, aligning them with international conventions.

According to a press release from EUCAP Somalia, the exercises enabled Somali authorities to engage in real-life emergency scenarios, incorporating best practices and lessons learned to strengthen their SAR response capabilities.

These efforts were timed to coincide with World Maritime Day on September 26, 2024, and are designed to improve the country's emergency response framework.

Somalia's challenges are immense. The country, located along some of the world's most trafficked shipping routes, has struggled with insecurity and piracy, making rescue operations especially difficult. However, with participation in initiatives like these, there is growing optimism that Somalia can take on a greater role in ensuring the safety of these vital waters.

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