Garowe (Dawan Africa) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today, Thursday, handed over a solar-powered water catchment system in Dalsan village, Dangorayo District, to the Puntland Water Development Agency. The infrastructure is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing sustainable water access and building climate resilience among agro-pastoral communities in Somalia.
The newly completed facility is expected to deliver critical water access to over 4,000 households in Puntland, marking a significant milestone in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate adaptation in rural areas.
Implemented under the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) project, the system supports water security and environmental sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and managed by UNDP, the project seeks to address water scarcity through innovative and community-driven solutions.
The Dalsan water catchment system will directly benefit agro-pastoralist households by improving access to clean water, aiding in the restoration of surrounding rangelands, and increasing community resilience to recurring droughts and climate shocks.
Running from 2019 to 2024, the IWRM Somalia project focuses on strengthening water governance across federal, state, and local levels. With more than $8.5 million in funding from the GEF and additional contributions from UNDP and partner agencies, the initiative has financed a wide range of climate adaptation interventions across Somalia.
The Dangorayo installation is one of several planned under the project, reinforcing national efforts to improve rural resilience, promote sustainable development, and ensure equitable access to natural resources in some of Somalia’s most vulnerable regions.