The project Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure for Awdal Communities in Somalia aims to address the significant lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities in Somalia’s Lughaya District. Due to the semi-arid climate, environmental degradation, and cyclical droughts, stream water volumes have decreased, forcing the pastoralist community to travel long distances to obtain water from the valley stream. This has increased vulnerability for the poor, including IDPs, returnees, and urban destitute populations, with a number of displaced people moving to the area following the double whammy of drought and cyclone (FSNU report, May 2021).

According to the UNICEF report 2020, only 45% of Somalia’s population has access to basic water services in Lughaya District, and schools and MCH centers have insufficient or no water. Shallow wells where water accumulates after rain are the primary source of water, which both domestic and livestock consume, resulting in disease. As a result, the contaminated shallow waters are insufficient for human consumption and cause serious health problems. In Biji, Fadhi-xun, and Fardo laguxidh the nearest water source is 5 kilometers away, and women face harassment and other obstacles. In Lughaya Only 11% have access to basic sanitation facilities, and Biji, Fardo-lagu xidh, Lughaya, and Ceel-sheekh schools lack latrines, forcing girls to travel to their homes to meet their needs (UNICEF,2020).

Drought cycles devastate the agro-pastoral people’s daily lives, and the most recent cyclone has caused additional damage, resulting in partial land destruction in Lughaya. Climate change exacerbates existing water and sanitation challenges by reducing available water resources, making it more difficult to meet demand for water and sanitation services, and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like floods, which can damage water and sanitation infrastructure and lead to water contamination (FSNU report, May 2021).

The project aims to address these challenges by implementing climate-resilient water and sanitation projects in Lughaya District, which will increase access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The project will concentrate on ecosystem management practices to improve water quality and availability, such as promoting sustainable land use and restoring degraded ecosystems. Furthermore, the project will prioritize solid waste and faecal sludge management, including waste treatment facility construction and the promotion of community-based waste management practices.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia, Somaliland government, the Awdal region, and local authorities, and will be consistent with the African Water Facility’s revised strategy, which emphasizes the mainstreaming and integration of climate resilience in program interventions. The project’s expected outcomes include increased access to clean water and sanitation facilities, improved resilience of water supply and sanitation facilities to the effects of climate change, improved solid waste and faecal sludge management, and enhanced ecosystem management practices to improve water quality and availability.

The project will not only improve the health and well-being of the community, but will also stimulate economic growth by providing opportunities for agriculture and other income-generating activities, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the Somalia National Development plan NDP9, Paris Agreement, and Sustainable Development Goals.

Project objective(s)

The Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure for Awdal Communities in Somalia project’s expected outcomes are diverse and significant.

Project description

The main components of the Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure for Awdal Communities in Somalia project are the construction and rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation facilities in Lughaya District, the implementation of ecosystem management practices, the promotion of community-based waste management practices, and the creation of local community employment opportunities.

Construction and rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation facilities, such as boreholes, earch dams, shallow wells, water storage facilities, and sanitation facilities such as latrines and waste treatment facilities, will be among the project’s activities. In addition, the project will promote sustainable land use practices and ecosystem restoration, such as ecosystem rehabilitation and reforestation.  Furthermore, the project will emphasize community-based waste management practices such as community-led waste collection and disposal, as well as raising sanitation and hygiene awareness. The project will also provide local residents with job opportunities, particularly in the construction and maintenance of water supply and sanitation facilities.

The project’s intended beneficiaries are the communities of Biji, Gargaara, Lugahya, Ceel-sheekh, Gab, Fadhi-xun, and Fardo-laguxidh in the Lughaya District of Somalia, which have a total population of approximately 70,000 people. The project will prioritize the most vulnerable populations, such as internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and urban destitute people.

The Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure for Awdal Communities in Somalia project’s sustainability plan includes several strategies to ensure the project’s long-term success and impact. The key components of the sustainability plan are as follows:

  1. Community involvement and ownership: The project will prioritize local community participation in all stages of the project, from planning to implementation and maintenance. The project will involve community members in decision-making and provide them with training and capacity-building opportunities so that they can take ownership of the project’s outcomes and long-term maintenance of the water and sanitation facilities.
  2. Building institutional capacity: The project will work with local governments and government agencies to ensure that they have the technical and financial resources to manage and maintain water and sanitation facilities. To ensure that government officials, water user associations, and other relevant stakeholders have the skills and knowledge to manage and maintain the facilities, the project will provide training and capacity-building opportunities.
  3. 3. Monitoring and evaluation: The project will set up a monitoring and evaluation system to track the project’s progress and impact. The system will require regular data collection and analysis to ensure that the project achieves its goals. The project will also establish a feedback mechanism to allow members of the community to provide feedback on the project’s implementation and outcomes.
  4. Financial sustainability: The project will investigate various financing mechanisms to ensure the water and sanitation facilities’ long-term financial sustainability. This could be in the form of user fees, government subsidies, or private sector investment. The project will collaborate with key stakeholders to identify the best financing mechanisms and create a financial sustainability plan.
  5. Climate resilience: To ensure that water and sanitation facilities can withstand the effects of climate change, the project will incorporate climate-resilient designs and practices. The project will also encourage ecosystem management practices that improve water quality and availability, thereby increasing the community’s resilience to the effects of climate change

Climate change adaptation, mitigation and building resilience aspects

Lughaya, located in Somalia’s Awdal region, is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which include increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. These effects can have a significant impact on water resources, agriculture, and other vital sectors that support local communities’ livelihoods. To address these issues, efforts are being made in Awdal communities particularly Lughaya district to promote climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience building. To better cope with the effects of climate change, one key approach is to strengthen water infrastructure and management systems. This could include investing in climate-resilient water supply systems such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge systems, as well as improving water resource management to ensure their long-term viability in the face of changing climate conditions.

Another important strategy is to encourage more resilient agricultural practices, such as crop diversification and the use of drought-resistant crop varieties, which can assist farmers in adapting to changing climate conditions while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and other inputs.In addition to these adaptation measures, efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. Promoting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, as well as improving energy efficiency in buildings and other infrastructure, could be part of this.

Finally, strengthening social and economic systems in Awdal communities is necessary to ensure that they can withstand the effects of climate change. Promoting community-based adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives, as well as improving access to financial services and other resources that can assist communities in dealing with the effects of climate change, could be examples of such initiatives. Overall, it is possible to improve the resilience of local communities and ecosystems to the effects of climate change by promoting climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience building in Awdal communities, while also contributing to global efforts to address this pressing global challenge.

Social inclusion, gender equality, youth & women empowerment in water and Sanitation aspects

The project values social inclusion, gender equality, youth and women empowerment, and water and sanitation. Women and youth are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to water and sanitation facilities, and they frequently face barriers to participating in water and sanitation decision-making processes.

To address these issues, the project will prioritize social inclusion, gender equality, and the empowerment of youth and women in the following ways:

  1. Participatory planning and implementation: Local communities, including youth and women, will be involved in the planning and implementation of water and sanitation infrastructure projects. This will aid in ensuring that the needs and priorities of all community members, including marginalized groups, are considered.
  2. Gender-sensitive design: Gender-sensitive design principles will be incorporated into the construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities. This could include separate facilities for men and women, as well as menstrual hygiene management facilities.
  3. Capacity building and training: The project will provide opportunities for women and youth to receive training and capacity building in water and sanitation management, including water conservation and sanitation hygiene practices. This will assist in empowering women and youth to take an active role in community water and sanitation resource management.
  4. Initiatives led by women and youth: The project will support initiatives led by women and youth, such as community-based water management committees or sanitation awareness campaigns. This will help to ensure that women and youth have a voice in water and sanitation decision-making processes

Overall, the project aims to ensure that all community members have equitable access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and that they are empowered to take an active role in managing these resources for the benefit of their communities, by prioritizing social inclusion, gender equality, and youth and women empowerment in water and sanitation. participation and involvement in decision-making processes related to water and sanitation issues.]

Employment, livelihood, governance, operation & maintenance and sustainability aspects

Building climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure in Somalia’s Awdal communities can create jobs and livelihoods while also providing access to safe and dependable water and sanitation systems.

Governance is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of water and sanitation infrastructure. This includes developing policies to ensure access to water and sanitation services, as well as maintaining infrastructure and allocating resources appropriately.

Operating and maintaining water and sanitation infrastructure is critical to ensuring its long-term viability. This includes performing routine maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, as well as ensuring that water and sanitation services are safe, dependable, and cost-effective.

Sustainability is critical to the long-term success of water and sanitation infrastructure. This includes making sure the infrastructure is resilient to climate change and other environmental factors, as well as financially sustainable.

Basin level/transboundary cooperation, water governance and ecosystems protection

Basin-level cooperation between countries and other stakeholders is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of water and sanitation infrastructure. This includes sharing resources and knowledge, as well as developing policies and regulations to ensure the long-term viability of water and sanitation infrastructure. Water Governance: Water governance is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of water and sanitation infrastructure. This includes developing policies and regulations to ensure access to water and sanitation services, as well as ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately and infrastructure is kept in good working order. Ecosystem Protection: It is critical to protect ecosystems in order to ensure the long-term viability of water and sanitation infrastructure. This includes safeguarding water resources against pollution and overuse, as well as ensuring infrastructure resilience to climate change and other environmental factors.

Project status of preparation or implementation

Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure for Awdal Communities in Somalia is currently in the planning stages. This includes identifying community needs, developing an infrastructure plan, and securing the necessary resources and funding. After these steps are completed, the project will enter the implementation phase.

Governance, implementation responsibilities and arrangements

Governance is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of water and sanitation infrastructure. This includes developing policies to ensure access to water and sanitation services, as well as maintaining infrastructure and allocating resources appropriately. Responsibilities and Arrangements for Implementation: The implementation of water and sanitation infrastructure necessitates clear responsibilities and arrangements. This includes delegating roles and responsibilities to stakeholders and ensuring that the infrastructure is implemented on time and within budget.

Alignment and contribution to Country/regional and continental priorities, policies and international commitments (SDG, Paris Agreement, etc)

This project will help to meet these commitments by providing safe and dependable water and sanitation services, as well as creating jobs and livelihoods for local residents. Contributing to the achievement of the Somali National Development Plan9, the African Union Agenda 2063, Sharm El Sheikh Commitments the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Potential project risks

Inadequate financial resources, political instability, and climate change are all potential risks associated with Building Sustainable Futures: Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure for Awdal Communities in Somalia. Other risks include insufficient capacity and technical expertise, as well as insufficient infrastructure governance and management.