The Somali Meteorological Agency broadcasts drought warnings across the airwaves, but two-thirds of adults with disabilities never hear them. As Somalia’s climate crisis displaces 2.6 million people since 2021, traditional warning systems are failing the most vulnerable.
When radio fails, lives hang in balance
Research by the Somali Disability Forum reveals a stark gap: 68% of adults with disabilities receive disaster warnings late or not at all. Radio broadcasts reach most Somalis, but adults who are deaf miss audio alerts entirely. Those with intellectual disabilities struggle with complex meteorological terminology. Meanwhile, UNHCR projects displacement will worsen through 2026 as droughts intensify. The current system assumes everyone can hear, understand, and act on radio warnings—assumptions that cost lives.
Mobile phones offer hope, but data costs £2.75 per gigabyte
Smartphones could transform climate communication for people with disabilities. Visual alerts, vibration notifications, and simplified language could reach everyone. But mobile data in Somalia costs $3.50 per gigabyte—8.9% of monthly income for displaced populations. Adults with disabilities, facing employment discrimination, earn even less. The World Meteorological Organization calls for inclusive climate adaptation, yet connectivity remains unaffordable for those who need it most.
Credit where it counts
Mobile phone credit programmes could bridge this life-threatening gap. When adults with disabilities can afford data, they access weather apps with accessible features. They receive visual storm warnings, simplified drought updates, and location-specific alerts. Free mobile credit transforms phones from luxury items into survival tools. In a climate emergency that’s displacing millions, inclusive early warning systems aren’t optional—they’re essential.