| Project Detail |
Somalia faces a range of climate-related hazards, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and posing significant risks to communities, particularly IDPs, women and youth. The country has witnessed a growing urbanization, with a large influx of people into cities. Unplanned urban expansion often occurs in hazard-prone areas, such as floodplains or coastal regions, exposing communities to heightened risk of natural disasters like floods, storms and landslides. Many urban centers have expanded without adequate consideration for environmental sustainability, resilience and effective disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. The absence of comprehensive land-use planning and enforcement of building codes further compounds these risks, leaving communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Urban resilience requires urban institutions that can effectively manage competing priorities while also adjusting to emerging needs. In a dynamic institutional landscape, the responsibility for climate resilience isnt solely vested in one specific department or unit; rather, its dispersed across both national and sub-national governments. The challenge for Somalia lies in achieving coordination and coherence amidst this intricate institutional framework, which warrants significant attention, as well as an inclusive approach which is gender responsive. The intricate array of challenges leading to this vulnerability also encompasses factors such as the inadequate incorporation of nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban planning. Contributing to these issues are underlying factors like prolonged conflict and political instability, which have impeded effective governance and planning. The lack of a stable political environment impedes the implementation of long-term, sustainable urban development strategies, leaving cities more susceptible to vulnerabilities. Moreover, persistent poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to basic services further contribute to this vulnerability. Moreover, climate change exacerbates socio-economic inequalities within urban communities, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups such as the urban poor and IDPs. These vulnerable populations often reside in informal settlements with inadequate housing and limited access to basic services, making them particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate-related disasters. Women, who often bear the primary responsibility for household chores, water collection, and food provision, find themselves disproportionately affected by these challenges. Preferred solution The preferred solution will enhance climate resilience in urban areas by supporting NbS and improving land and natural resource management. This will be achieved by integrating economic incentives – like livelihood support and capacity, financial and technical support to MSME, with targeted support to women-led MSMEs – and improved technologies that can both reduce pressure on natural resources and lower vulnerability to climate hazards. Under the project interventions, a coordination body will be implemented to both bridge the line ministries with the federal government, local institutions and municipalities, as well as the most vulnerable groups to engage in climate-smart and sustainable livelihoods. Moreover, the project will create opportunities for MSME development an facilitate private investment into climate resilient resource management, NbS and livelihoods. The project will address the interconnected issues of water and land management, urban resilience through a systems-based approach. This involves improved land and water resource management, at community, federal and provincial levels as well as channelling public and private sector investments towards climate resilient development. Building positive synergies between ongoing projects, initiatives and systems will facilitate integrated and coherent planning and investment at the landscape level to improve urban planning, as well as implementation, monitoring and evaluation of adaptation solutions in the target area. The project will promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, with women and youth engaged as agents of change. This is also in line with Somalia’s NDC which notes that “gender equality is critical for effective climate adaptation and mitigation in Somalia .” By implementing improved resource management and enabling sustainable community livelihoods, the project will strengthen community resilience to the impacts of climate change induced droughts, floods, sea level rise, and heat island effects. As a core element, the preferred solution will prioritise community ownership of locally led adaptation solutions, thereby ensuring every intervention is sustainable and can be continued in the long term. Further to this, the interventions of the proposed project will form the basis of an integrated strategy that will catalyse future investments into climate resilience beyond the project’s lifespan, laying the foundation for upscaling throughout Somalia and the region. |
