World Bank donates $70 million to Somalia amid worst drought in 40 years

MOGADISHU - Somalia is set to receive $70 million which has been approved by the World Bank from the International Development Association [IDA] with the world lender noting that the grant will be used for improving services in water, agriculture, and environment departments.

The country is facing the worst drought in a decade which has led to diminishing agricultural activities due to scarcity of water across the country. Almost 99 percent of the country is currently dry, forcing locals to seek refuge in various towns and IDP camps.

The Somalia Water for Rural Resilience Project, known as “Barwaaqo” and builds on the Biyoole project, comes at a critical time when Somalia is facing an unprecedented multi-season drought and worsening food insecurity.

Chantal Richey, the World Bank senior water supply and sanitation specialist said the Barwaaqo will have to mitigate climate change in the country by strengthening natural resources management in the Horn of Africa nation.

“This includes water harvesting and storage, soil conservation, afforestation, and rangelands restoration around water points to slowly ‘green’ the drylands,” Richey was quoted as saying in a statement issued on Thursday evening.

Some of the states that will benefit from this project include Somaliland, Puntland, Galmadug, and Southwest with Jubaland and HirShabelle set to benefit from the expansion of the projects. Areas far away from Jubba and Shabelle rivers will benefit from the project.

The Global lender says over half a million people will be targeted in the project which is just 15 percent of the rural population who are the most affected by the ongoing drought across the country. Rural homes cannot access clean water.

Kristina Svensson, World Bank country manager for Somalia, said the Barwaaqo project supports communities to build resilience and adapt to climate change by improving access to water resources in a dryland environment.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently said the international community has been able to avert possible famine in the Horn of Africa nation, adding that food and money donations have made it easier for the country to adequately deal with hunger which is ravaging the country.

GAROWE ONLINE