In Somalia, where over 80% of the population relies on mobile phones but literacy rates remain low, traditional disaster alerts often fail to reach those most at risk. That’s why Hormuud Telecom developed a simple but life-saving Early Warning System, one that ensures warnings aren’t just sent but heard.
Instead of relying on SMS or digital platforms, Hormuud uses its extensive network to deliver alerts via call-back ringtones, reaching remote villages and illiterate populations. The system, powered by information from Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency, provides rapid warnings for floods, droughts, health outbreaks, and emergencies, giving communities the critical time needed to act.
This innovation was born from the COVID-19 pandemic when markets and mosques became hotspots for the virus, yet public health information struggled to reach people. Hormuud responded by launching a free hotline and embedding safety messages before every call connection. With 80% of Somali adults owning mobile phones, the ringtone is played 26 million times a day.
As climate disasters intensify, the system evolved. During the 2023 El Niño floods, Hormuud’s alerts enabled timely evacuations. Similar warnings protected lives and livelihoods during the 2024 riverine floods, proving that a simple yet effective approach can transform crisis response in vulnerable regions.

https://hormuud.com/

• Somali (Democratic Republic)

• Remote and rural communities
• The poor, refugees and IDPs + society at large

Hormuud Telecom’s Early Warning System (EWS) is an example of private sector innovation filling gaps in disaster response, particularly in fragile states. In countries like Somalia, where existing government mechanisms are limited, mobile networks offer a powerful tool for delivering life-saving information. Telecom operators worldwide can replicate this system ensuring that even populations with no pre-existing mechanisms receive crucial warnings.
What makes this system replicable is its simplicity. It can operate on basic GSM networks and feature phones, so can reach some of the world’s most isolated communities. Unlike digital platforms that require internet access or literacy, call-back ringtone alerts ensure that warnings are heard, even in rural regions prone to flooding or drought.
Its adaptability across different emergencies, whether climate-related, health crises, or humanitarian disasters, demonstrates its flexibility:
• Covid 19: disseminating critical information about COVID-19 and public health guidelines.
• Droughts: Providing early warnings and coordinating resource allocation.
• El Niño Flooding: Issuing rapid response alerts.
• River-Run Region Floods: Alerting at-risk communities to minimise flood-related damage and save lives.
Globally, Hormuud’s EWS aligns with the UN’s Early Warning Systems for All (EW4All) initiative, which aims to ensure universal access to early warning information by 2027. It also aligns with the GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter, which coordinates MNOs for a better standard of preparedness and response to sudden onset emergencies. By leveraging simple, accessible solutions, Hormuud offers a practical, scalable approach to achieving this vision.
Workshops hosted by the National Communications Authority, including other local telecom operators and Hormuud are underway. These workshops have laid the foundation for the nationwide adoption of ESWs, ensuring that Somalia’s success story can inspire and inform similar efforts in other vulnerable regions.

Hormuud Telecom’s Early Warning System (EWS) is built for long-term impact, leveraging Somalia’s expanding mobile subscribers, renewable energy, and advancements in connectivity to ensure life-saving alerts continue to reach those who need them.
At the heart of its sustainability is Hormuud’s commitment to renewable energy. Somalia is one of the sunniest places on Earth. Hormuud has harnessed this abundant resource with 85% its telecom masts being solar-powered and is working towards 100% solar-powered masts. This guarantees that the EWS remains operational even when local power grids fail, a critical factor during floods and other emergencies when reliable communication can mean the difference between life and death.
Over 80% of Somalia’s population have access to a mobile phone, and this number is set to grow. The EWS is designed to work with widely available handsets, so this low-tech, high-impact approach makes the system future-proof – capable of reaching the most remote communities without the need for costly infrastructure investments.
Hormuud works closely with Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency (SODMA) to continuously improve the system and has participated in a strategic roadmap to implement the National Emergency Telecommunications Plan. This will ensure that the EWS aligns with government disaster preparedness strategies.

Hormuud’s Early Warning System (EWS) promotes WSIS values by bridging the digital divide and leveraging ICT for social good. In Somalia, where literacy rates are among the lowest globally and smartphone penetration is even lower, accessing critical information remains a challenge, especially for rural, nomadic, and internally displaced communities. By harnessing Somalia’s widespread feature phone penetration, Hormuud’s ring-tone system ensures life-saving information is both accessible and actionable. This approach empowers communities with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and reinforces the WSIS commitment to an inclusive Information Society. By transforming how emergency information is disseminated, Hormuud is setting a precedent for ICT-driven solutions that prioritize accessibility, equity, and resilience in crisis response.