Last week in Addis Ababa, the International Water Management Institute and the World Food Programme brought together disaster risk managers, flood modelers and researchers from local, national and international institutions to advance a Digital Twin for effective flood response in Dolo Ado District, Somali Region, Ethiopia.
The workshop reviewed progress in generating flood risk information and emphasised a user-centered approach to ensure the Digital Twin reflects the real needs, workflows and data requirements of those on the front lines of flood management. Participants stressed that practical usability and reliable data inputs are essential for timely decisions.
Through collaborative co-design, stakeholders are shaping the Digital Twin to support smarter early warnings and more sustainable land-use decisions. The platform is being refined to better align modelling outputs with operational practices so that warnings and response actions reach communities faster.
Key outcomes from the workshop included improved tools and data for flood early warning, identification of optimal locations for water-level sensors, and clear technical requirements for local hosting of the Digital Twin. Participants also agreed on priority capacity-building needs for local users and on a plan to test the platform during the 2026 flood season.
By turning these technical advances into practical testing and training, partners aim to strengthen resilience and enable anticipatory responses to floods in Dolo Ado and surrounding areas, moving innovation toward tangible impact on the ground.
