Enhancing Climate Resilience of the Vulnerable Communities and Ecosystems in Somalia
Introduction
With financing from the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Least Developed Country Countries Fund, the Federal Government of Somalia, in partnership with UNDP, is working to bolster the resilience of vulnerable communities and ecosystems to climate change. The project is working in semi-autonomous states in Somalia: South West State, Galmudug State, Puntland, and Somaliland, which unilaterally declared itself an independent republic in 1991. The project is working to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change and improve the adaptive capacity of vulnerable farmers in pilot areas, and the ecosystems on which they depend.
Building resilience to climatic events is critical for Somalia as the country stabilizes after decades of conflict and commits long-term development for its people.
Project details
Green shoots of peace and development are emerging in Somalia, after a particularly difficult period of instability. UNDP is at the forefront to help the people of Somalia to recover from years of conflict, while setting the country on the path to sustainable development. In recent years, Somalia has experienced changes in weather and climate that are affecting the country’s economic and social development. Facing increasing uncertainty for seasonal and annual rainfall levels, rising surface temperatures, sea level rise, and the loss of lives and livelihoods dependent on fragile or over-exploited ecosystems and natural resources, there is concern that future climate changes could exacerbate displacement in the region and intensify conflict over scarce natural resources, including water.
Approximately 70% of Somalis are dependent on climate-sensitive agriculture and pastoralism. As floods and droughts become more severe and frequent in Somalia, there is a need to find approaches that can reduce the sensitivity of farmers and pastoralists to increasing rainfall variability. To address these issues, LDCF financing will be used to support ministries, districts, NGOs/CBOs to integrate climate change risks in Natural Resource Management and disaster preparedness. Climate risk management will be institutionalized from national to local levels. CBOs will be revitalized to take the lead on implementing community-based Ecosystem-based flood preparedness and other adaptation measures.
- National
- Local Governments
- National Governments
- Non-Governmental Organizations
Communities in the selected areas in South West State, Galmudug State, Puntland, and Somaliland - especially small-scale farmers
- Government of Somalia
- Global Environment Facility (GEF)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
News
Pioneering Masters Programme in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability launched in Somalia
30 students receive scholarships to programme with support from GEF, UNDP and University of Amoud
25 April 2018, Borama, Somaliland - The University of Amoud, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has launched a first of its kind Masters Programme in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, with 30 students from Somaliland, Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, South West, Hirshabelle, and Mogadishu awarded full and part time sponsorships by UNDP and Amoud University to study in the programme.
16 December 2017: Water dams build resilience for communities in Puntland
Guardian News Highlight, 10 May 2017: A life-or-death search for water in drought-parched Somalia – in pictures
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Contacts
- UNDPTom Twining-WardRegional Technical Advisor