Mogadishu, (SONNA) – In a joint effort to deal with the crucial water disaster in Somalia, the Saudi Fund for Improvement (SFD) and the United Nations Improvement Programme (UNDP) have launched a brand new undertaking to offer sustainable
water entry to 120,000 drought-affected Somalis by harnessing the photo voltaic power.
An settlement to this impact was signed by SFD CEO Mr. Sultan Al-Marshad and UNDP Affiliate Administrator Mr. Haoliang Xu on 25 February 2025, within the presence of the Ambassador of Somalia to Saudi Arabia, H.E. Owais Haji Yusuf Ahmed.
Supported by US$ 2 million in funding from SFD, the water undertaking additionally goals to strengthen native water governance, guaranteeing the native communities have entry to a sustainable supply of water and are ready for future shocks and challenges.
Somalia faces acute water shortage as a consequence of extended droughts, local weather variability, and restricted infrastructure improvement. Lower than 30% of the Somali inhabitants has entry to scrub water, with the
majority counting on costly and infrequently unsustainable means to fulfill their wants. For a rural Somali family, fetching water from non-public water tankers may value as much as $6 per barrel per day, an expense past the attain of 73% of Somalis who earn lower than $1.25 a day.
The undertaking will assemble 10 solar-powered boreholes throughout Somalia with a provide system and set up community-led water governance methods, together with Water Assets Person Associations, to advertise
participatory administration, sustainable operation and upkeep. The districts the place the wells can be constructed embody: Abudwak, Kismanyo, Buuhoodle, Salahley, Galkacayo, and Elberde.
Anticipated to be accomplished by December 2026, the undertaking’s oblique advantages will attain greater than 3 million residents by improved water practices, consciousness, and community-level useful resource administration, whereas additionally contributing to enhance well being outcomes, decrease residing prices, and deal with meals insecurity.
The undertaking ensures the participation of native authorities and neighborhood members to advertise possession, accountability, and inclusivity, significantly specializing in weak teams resembling women-headed households, folks with disabilities, and internally displaced individuals (IDPs). The inclusive means of the undertaking goals to empower communities with the talents and instruments to handle water sources sustainably, lowering their vulnerability to future droughts and floods.
“In Somalia, water is not only a necessity, it’s a lifeline for communities going through the twin threats of drought and potential battle over water shortage. Investing in water infrastructure is investing in peace and resilience. We’re grateful to the Saudi Fund for Improvement for his or her assist in unlocking the potential of Somalia’s groundwater sources,” acknowledged Mr. Lionel Laurens, UNDP Resident Consultant in Somalia.
Mr. Sultan Al Marshad, Chief Govt Officer of The Saudi Fund for Improvement, underscored the Kingdom’s dedication by the Saudi Fund for Improvement to humanitarian and developmental causes, stating, “The Saudi Fund for Improvement is proud to assist this important undertaking. By harnessing Somalia’s groundwater potential, this program will remodel lives and pave the way in which for a brighter future within the Horn of Africa.”
“Collectively we develop Somalia’s water wants. We thank Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Fund for Improvement for the sort and steady assist to Somalia in addition to KSrelief for internet hosting this ceremony. And we glance ahead that SFD to proceed creating Somalia’s infrastructure,” stated Somalia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia H.E. Aweis Haji Yusuf.
“Entry to scrub water is a elementary human proper. The collaboration between Somalia and the Saudi Fund for Improvement demonstrates our shared dedication to bettering water entry, supporting rural communities, and constructing long-term local weather resilience,” stated H.E. Abdullahi Bidhan Warsame, Somalia’s Minister of Power and Water Assets.
Funded below the fifth part of the Saudi Program for Drilling Wells and Rural Improvement in Africa, this initiative is a part of UNDP’s ongoing efforts to
scale up drought response and restoration, working throughout the Inter-Company Standing Committee alongside UN companies, civil society, and the worldwide neighborhood and aligned with Somalia’s Nationwide Water Assets Technique.
