The African Water Facility (AWF) extended a €3million grant to support efforts towards building resilience to climate change and reducing water stress in Somaliland. The grant financed the development of the National Water Resources Management and Investment Plan (WRMIP) covering the period 2020-2050.
The WRMIP was completed in March 2020 and it represents the premier water planning exercise in Somaliland. The programme provides a comprehensive approach to identify investments to achieve Target 1 of Sustainable Development Goal 6 “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all”.
Guided by the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), the WRMIP involved a master water planning exercise. The plan consists of the following four investment Programmes : regional capitals water mobilisation ; district towns water supply; rural water mobilisation; and technical support and training.
The plan provides a structured technical and logical approach to attract investments to the water sector. The WRMIP also guides development partners and other stakeholders in aspects relevant to their respective mandates, in order to contribute holistically towards the overall vision of the Government, reduce duplication of effort and attract synergies across the functions and efficiencies of the Ministry of Water Resources Development (MoWRD).
The AWF provided technical assistance to complement limited capacities. Consistent with this, the MoWRD seconded staff to work alongside the AWF teams to strengthen the relevant capacities and ensure knowledge transfer. In total over 40 staff benefitted from the on-job training in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Mapping and Remote sensing, Economic and Financial Modelling, Hydrogeology, and surface water hydrology modelling.
Water shortages in Somaliland have worsened in recent years, partly due to a series of severe droughts caused by climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon. These droughts have had a devastating impact on communities livelihoods as they have depleted food, water and livestock reserves.