The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have announced a USD 10 million programme to build capacity for flood and drought forecasting in Somalia. The project is expected to promote water security and access for more than 360,000 farmers and pastoralists.

The programme will establish Somalia’s first National Hydro-Meteorological and Monitoring Service, led by its Directorate of Environment and Climate Change in the Office of the Prime Minister and implemented by its Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. Activities under the project include weather monitoring, flood and drought forecasting, early warning, and training on flood management and water conservation.

The project seeks to alleviate the impacts of climate-induced shocks such as floods, cyclones and drought. The GEF reports that such events have displaced 2.6 million people within the country, caused conflict over competition for water resources, and exacerbated food insecurity and unemployment. The agency also notes the links between water scarcity and social unrest, with the rise of militia groups such as Al-Shabaab.

Speaking at the launch, UNDP Resident Representative Jocelyn Mason highlighted the relevance of the project to  Somalia’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement on climate change. Besides the project’s relevance to climate action (SDG 13), Mason noted its potential benefits for poverty reduction (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), gender equality (SDG 5), drinking water (SDG 6), and peace and security (SDG 16). 

The GEF is contributing USD 8.8 million to the four-year project from its Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and UNDP is contributing a further USD 1.5 million. [GEF Press Release] [UNDP Press Release] [UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Press Release]