Somalia, UN Set to Roll out Climate Resilience, Water Management Projects

MOGADISHU, (Xinhua) – Somalia, UN agencies, and other international partners on Thursday held a meeting in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, to discuss the rollout of two projects to enhance water resource management and strengthen climate resilience.

The stakeholder forum focused on the implementation of the two projects under the 160-million-U.S. dollars Jowhar Offstream Storage Program (JOSP), which is set to be rolled out in November.

The projects aim to build resilience against climate shocks in communities along the Shabelle River by enhancing access to water, reducing drought and flood risk, and boosting agricultural production.

Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Abdisalan Abdi Ali reiterated the government’s strong commitment to the successful implementation of JOSP.

“Rehabilitating the irrigation infrastructure as planned under JOSP is the lasting solution that is needed for the communities along the Shabelle River to build resilience to the recurrent droughts and floods, as well as boost agricultural production and livelihood resilience for a better future,” Ali said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said the JOSP initiative is anticipated to significantly lower the risks of droughts and floods, ensure consistent access to water, enhance agricultural production and productivity, and generate income and job opportunities.

This will further support the economic development of this vital agricultural region, ultimately benefiting future generations in Somalia through improved water access and increased agricultural output, the FAO added.

In June, the multi-year JOSP initiative was launched in Somalia to improve food security and climate resilience.

According to the FAO, the program is expected to enhance access to water for 368,887 people across five districts, reduce flood risk for 1.5 million people, and mitigate drought impact for 1.65 million people.