UNDP - Promoting resilience through integrated approach in Somalia

Water Management Progress has been made in advancing Water Resource Management through various initiatives aimed at building capacity, promoting sustainable practices and enhancing coordination among key stakeholders. One key achievement is the introduction of a two-year masters programme in integrated water resource management at Somali National University in Mogadishu for 35 students from different parts of Somalia. Upon graduation, these students are expected to become water sector professionals dedicated to promoting the sustainable use of water resources in Somali authorities and other organisations. A wide range of capacity-building interventions were also implemented, including technical training, workshops, consultations, and awareness and advocacy events. These efforts engaged 745 individuals and improved participants knowledge and awareness of sustainable water resource management. Coordination among water sector institutions at both the FGS and FMS levels, including Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, has been strengthened by organizing regular monthly stakeholder meetings. Another major achievement includes the establishment of a geospatial unit at FGS level. The personnel has been trained in geospatial analysis and essential equipment has been procured. This unit will enhance water resource data collection, analysis, mapping and monitoring. Environmental Governance The project has contributed to improved environmental management and governance at Ministry of Environment and Climate Change both the FGS and FMS levels, through various capacity-building interventions, including technical training, workshops, consultations and awareness & advocacy events involving 2463 individuals. Stakeholder feedback indicates substantial capacity improvements among relevant officials. Another achievement include the finalization and preparation for the operationalisation of the National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan. The project also facilitated the mapping of institutions, identification of priority Green Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators and development of a road map for localizing environmental SDGs to improve environmental protection, climate change resilience, and sustainable resource management at the local level. An Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy has been finalized and prepared for operationalisation to enhance the solid waste management system. Public clean-up campaigns has been launched and municipal authorities have been capacitated in managing solid waste, to address the issue of plastic pollution in urban areas of Mogadishu and FMS capitals. Geo-spatial services have been leveraged for effective environmental management, with geographic information system units currently being established and equipped to enhance the collection and analysis of information for environmental monitoring and timely decision-making. The project have supported the implementation, compliance, monitoring and reporting of multilateral environmental agreements, including assessments of financial requirements and funding opportunities. The project also funded participation for two youth delegates at COP28 in Dubai. A partnership with the Somalia National University has been established to provide scholarships for ten selected students in environmental studies. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) The system for DRR has been strengthened through capacity-building interventions at Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management at FGS and FMs levels. These interventions, which primarily targeted public officials, but also local communities and civil society organizations, engaged in total 4646 individuals. The activities included technical trainings, workshops, consultations and awareness & advocacy events. One achievement is the development of a gender-focused national DRR plan and the provision of necessary gender-focused DRR skills for its operationalisation at national and local levels. Municipal DRR have been developed and put into action in two high-risk municipalities in each FMS. A gender-responsive community risk assessment strategy and guidelines have been developed to support the preparation of local disaster risk reduction plans. NEOC has been strengthened and an institutional coordination framework has been prepared to ensure better coordination and response during emergencies. Authorities have been trained to integrate disaster risks into their planning and programming processes. Moreover, capacity building on gender mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction, training on drought recovery and disaster risk schemes for vulnerable communities, and training on community-based resilient recovery were conducted. Community preparedness has been improved through awareness of multi-hazards early warning services and the piloting of community-based early warning systems. This includes a network of disaster volunteers that has been introduced, which will ensure a proactive and anticipatory approach to disaster management. Urban resilience has been strengthened through the preparation of an urban resilience roadmap for Mogadishu and the development of municipal DRR plans for selected vulnerable cities. The establishment and assistance to implement local disaster risk plans for high-risk districts has enhanced communities resilience to disaster and climate shocks in selected at-risk communities. This shock-responsive assistance included water distribution via water tanks, solar lanterns and plastic sheets to around 700 vulnerable people. This also included livelihood grants for small businesses.

The main objective of the contribution is to build the capacity of the Somali authorities in their efforts to promote sustainable and resilient development through support in the areas of integrated water resource management, environmental governance and disaster risk reduction. This extension phase will focus the support to capacity building on Federal Member State level in Somalia, as well as focus on youth and women. The main objectives of the extension phase include: Objective 1. Ensure completion of the Integrated Water Management Masters Programme by end 2024 Objective 2. Partnership with FMS continued to retain critical skill sets and knowledge base Objective 3. Promote active participation of youth in resilience-building activities