Said Kurto

Self motivated, education specialist to overcome facing challenges and always standby children to achieve their goals through equity and quality education.

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Today, READO participated in an urgent El Niño Preparedness and Response Coordination Meeting held in Mogadishu, bringing together government officials and humanitarian partners operating in Lower Shabelle, Somalia.

The meeting was convened by the South West State High-Level Ministerial Committee for El Niño Response, chaired by @nasirarush the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, with participation from other government ministers and humanitarian organizations.

Discussions focused on strengthening coordination, enhancing preparedness, and aligning humanitarian response efforts to mitigate the anticipated impacts of El Niño, particularly for vulnerable communities across Lower Shabelle.

READO remains committed to working closely with government authorities and humanitarian partners to support timely, coordinated, and community-centred preparedness and response efforts.

#ElNiño #DisasterPreparedness #LowerShabelle #Somalia #HumanitarianResponse

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Early warning today, safer learning tomorrow.
READO in partnership with @NRC_EAY, conducted El Niño flood preparedness awareness sessions for learners and teachers in Afgoi District. The messages focused on preparedness, learning continuity, safety and flood alerts, helping school communities understand the risks and take timely action.

Through local community structures, the activities aim to ensure that all children, including those with disabilities, and their parents receive accessible information to stay safe and maintain learning during potential floods.

Thanks to @EduCannotWait for the funding support.

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

On this World Teachers’ Day, READO stands with Somalia’s teachers—especially those teaching in crisis and emergency settings. Every day, they dedicate their time, courage, and energy, often taking great risks to ensure vulnerable children can continue learning. They are more than teachers; they are protectors of hope, builders of the future, and true heroes of education.

Said Abdirahman READO Education Program Coordinator

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

As Somalia enters the 2026 Deyr season, we have developed our El Niño 2026–27 Preparedness and Response Plan to guide anticipatory action, emergency response and early recovery across our areas of operation in Baidoa, Bay, Bakool and Gedo.

Our message is simple: Act before the water rises.

The plan prioritizes early warning, community preparedness, pre-positioning of essential supplies, protection of critical services, and rapid response within 72 hours of confirmed impact. Under the central scenario, READO is preparing to reach around 150,000 people, with at least half being women and girls.

Preparedness today can save lives, protect livelihoods and help communities recover faster.

https://t.co/ubaUKOaRr3

#ElNino #Somalia #AnticipatoryAction #DisasterPreparedness #HumanitarianResponse #READO

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Keeping children safe and learning during floods starts before the water rises.

In Afgoi District, our education team, in partnership with @NRC_Norway and with funding from @EduCannotWait, worked with Community Education Committees, teachers and parents to identify safe routes and safe learning spaces for children ahead of possible flooding. A total of 74 community members, including 21 women, took part in the exercise, helping strengthen community preparedness and continuity of learning.

Particular attention was given to children who may face greater risks during emergencies, including children with disabilities, girls, displaced children and children from marginalised communities.

By planning early with communities, we can help protect children, reduce disruption to education and ensure safer access to learning when floods occur.

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

READO is participating in the @jumuiya Public Hearing on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Bill, 2025, taking place in Mogadishu, Somalia. The two-day hybrid public hearing brings together stakeholders to review the proposed Bill, exchange perspectives and develop recommendations that can strengthen regional efforts to eliminate FGM and protect the rights, health and dignity of women and girls across the East African Community.

The discussions include capacity-building sessions, a clause-by-clause review of the Bill and stakeholder dialogue around stronger protection mechanisms, cross-border cooperation and coordinated action to address harmful practices.

As a @Amref_Worldwide @PlanInt_Som Future4Binti (F4B) partner, READO is proud to contribute to this important regional dialogue and to bring perspectives from our work with communities working to challenge harmful social norms and create safer, more supportive environments for girls and young women.

Ending FGM requires more than legislation. It requires strong institutions, informed communities, meaningful participation and sustained collective action across borders.

We are committed to being part of that effort.

#EndFGM #Future4Binti #F4B #EALA #EAC #HumanRights #GenderEquality #ProtectGirls #Somalia #READO

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Over two days, community members and key stakeholders came together under the #Future4Binti project to openly identify the harmful social norms affecting the wellbeing and opportunities of women, girls and families — and to commit to the positive attitudes, behaviours and collective action needed to change them.

Because harmful norms do not shift in silence. They shift through honest conversations, shared reflection and communities choosing to act differently. Delivered by READO in partnership with @PlanInt_Som and @Amref_Worldwide supported by @NLinSomalia @NLinKenya . #TransformingNorms #EndChildMarriage #EndFGM #Somalia #READO

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Humanitarian workers must be protected. Civilians must be protected. Humanitarian access must be preserved.
On this #WHD2026 we recognize the courage of humanitarian workers who continue serving their own communities amid uncertainty and risk.Because protecting those who help others ultimately protects the communities depending on them.

Today in Baidoa, READO proudly joined the global community to honor humanitarian workers and celebrate resilience.

Together, we reaffirm our commitment to humanity, impartiality, neutrality & independence—values guiding our mission to serve communities across Somalia. 💙🤝

#WorldHumanitarianDay #ActForHumanity #Somalia #Baidoa #HumanitarianAction #READO

[Plan International Somalia/Somaliland @PlanInt_Som]

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we remind ourselves of the power of partnership in humanitarian settings, celebrating and honouring the dedication of partner staffs like Kifaya, who work alongside Plan International to deliver a more impactful response to communities. #ActForHumanity

[Said Kurto @SaidKurto1]

The visit also provided an opportunity to reflect on strengthening locally led responses, resilience, and strategic partnerships to better support vulnerable communities.

[Said Kurto @SaidKurto1]

Had the pleasure of welcoming Plan InCEO, Ms. Reena to Baidoa and taking her to the field to see our programmes in action. We met communities and displaced children gaining firsthand insights into the situation, community needs, and preparedness for anticipated El Niño impacts.

[Shirwac Maggan 🇸🇴 @shirwacmaggan1]

Honored to join @PlanInt_Som CEO Reena Ghelani and Country Director Sadia Allin in Baidoa to discuss the humanitarian situation, Super El Niño preparedness, and girls’ education. Proud to be part of this important mission as @reado_org Country Rep & DoP.

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Connecting Women Entrepreneurs to Financial Opportunities

At the Women Regional Investment Fair for SMEs in Baidoa, we brought women entrepreneurs and financial institutions together through one-to-one business matchmaking discussions.

These sessions provided women-led businesses with an opportunity to engage directly with banks, discuss their business needs, explore available financial services, and better understand the requirements and opportunities for accessing finance.

For financial institutions, it was also an opportunity to better understand the realities, needs, and potential of women-led businesses and explore ways to develop more inclusive and responsive financial solutions.

We are pleased to see financial institutions actively engaging with women entrepreneurs and contributing to a stronger ecosystem for women's economic empowerment and inclusive investment in Somalia.

with @Dahabshil @IBSBankSo @hoganmicrofinance @AmalBankLtd @Invest_Somalia

#WomenEconomicEmpowerment #WomenEntrepreneurs #SMEs #FinancialInclusion #InvestmentFair #BusinessMatchmaking #eWINS #Somalia

[Plan International Somalia/Somaliland @PlanInt_Som]

We strive to ensure all children, regardless of gender, age, or ability, have access to quality, inclusive education.

#EducationForAll #Genderequality #EducationInCrisis #girls

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

This week we also had the pleasure of hosting a high-level delegation led by @PlanGlobal CEO, Ms. Reena Ghelani, and the @PlanInt_Som Country Director at Oohiye First Response Center in Baidoa. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the humanitarian situation, observe community needs, discuss preparedness for anticipated El Niño impacts, and engage in meaningful dialogue on strategic partnerships, localization, and community empowerment through locally led initiatives.

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Day 1. Done. ▶ A highlight of everything today held — the setup, the opening, the women behind the stalls, the visitors who came and bought, the conversations that will outlast the weekend. Thank you to every woman who brought her business, every partner who showed up, every visitor who took the time to walk the exhibition. Tomorrow, we do it again. 📅 3–5 August 2026 📍 Baidoa Investing in Women. Growing Southwest Somalia. Implemented by @adra_somali, READO and @WindleKe_Som, in collaboration with @Invest_Somalia @MinistrySws and @SomaliaMolsa Southwest State, co-funded by @EU_in_Somalia. #eWINS #InvestingInWomen #Baidoa #SouthwestSomalia #WomenEntrepreneurs #Somalia #EUinSomalia

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

We can't contain our excitement as the days draw closer. Three days. Women entrepreneurs from across Southwest State. Investors, financial institutions, government partners and the wider enterprise ecosystem all under one roof in Baidoa.
📅 3–5 August 2026 📍 Baidoa
Investing in Women. Growing Southwest Somalia. Implemented by @adra_somali, READO and @WindleKe_Som, in collaboration with @Invest_Somalia, @MinistrySws and @SomaliaMolsa Southwest State, co-funded by @EU_in_Somalia. We would love to see you there. #eWINS #InvestingInWomen #Baidoa #SouthwestSomalia #WomenEntrepreneurs #Somalia #EUinSomalia

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

In partnership with @PlanInt_Som we brought together 35 members of Community Education Committees (CECs) and Child Protection Committees (CPCs) for a week of training on establishing and strengthening community structures for effective community organisation working relationships. Participants deepened their capacity across community participation, safeguarding, accountability, communication, coordination, conflict resolution, and sustainability the seven disciplines that underpin any Education in Emergencies (EiE) and Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) response that is going to hold. Because the strongest EiE and CPiE work is not delivered from the centre. It is held together by the CECs and CPCs closest to the child. Thank you to our @PlanInt_Som colleagues, and to the European Union / @eu_echo for making this work possible. Together, we are building stronger community ownership, safer learning environments, and more resilient communities for children affected by crisis in Somalia. #EducationInEmergencies #ChildProtection #EiE #CPiE #READO #PlanInternational #EUinSomalia #Somalia

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

With support from @PlanInt_Som through the @eu_echo -funded EiE Project, we successfully concluded 3 days Training on Anticipatory Action for School Preparedness and Resilience to Floods and Droughts. The training brought together 24 participants, including teachers and Community Education Committee (CEC) members, to enhance their knowledge and skills in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, preparedness planning, and continuity of learning during emergencies.
Through this initiative, participants are now better equipped to identify risks, develop school preparedness plans, implement mitigation measures, and take timely actions that protect learners and ensure education continues during floods and droughts.
Strengthening local capacity and community engagement, the training contributes to safer, more resilient schools and improved educational outcomes for children in vulnerable communities.

[READO SOMALIA @reado_org]

Together with @PlanInt_Som , we successfully presented our Anticipatory Action Plan under the WAHAFA project during today’s validation session with the @Welthungerhilfe led WAHAFA Validation Committee.

The session provided an important opportunity to showcase the strength, relevance, and readiness of our proposed anticipatory action approach for potential funding consideration. We appreciate the constructive discussions, technical guidance, and valuable feedback from the committee, which will further strengthen our efforts to support vulnerable communities in Somalia before crises escalate.

We look forward to continued collaboration in advancing timely, evidence-based, and community-centered anticipatory action in Somalia.