In Somalia's Puntland region, the livestock and agriculture sector is a vital part of the local economy and is a major source of food and income for communities in rural and urban areas.

But the impacts of climate change are making it harder for farmers and pastoralists in the region’s arid and semi-arid environment to get the water their livestock and crops depend on.

To address the urgent needs of the agriculture sector and enhance the resilience of its water resources, UNOPS is implementing the Sustainable Land Management in Puntland project with €16.6 million in funding from the government of Germany's KfW Development Bank.

“We are grateful to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for its generous support in funding the Sustainable Land Management Project in Puntland. UNOPS is fully committed to working closely with KfW, the Federal Government of Somalia, the Puntland State, and all relevant stakeholders to respond to climate change and strengthen the sustainable management of land and water resources, enhance community resilience, and ensure that the investments and capacities developed through this partnership deliver lasting and meaningful impact,” said Ala’a Nemer, Director of UNOPS in Somalia.

As part of the 4-year project, UNOPS will rehabilitate and expand water infrastructure, improve soil conservation and watershed and land management, and build local and government capacity to strengthen sustainable land and water management. This will help create more resilient livelihoods for around 75,000 people – including internally displaced persons – in rural communities in Puntland State.

Working in close coordination with government institutions and other partners, UNOPS will provide project management, fiduciary oversight and procurement services as part of the project.

With an emphasis on local ownership, UNOPS will work with local communities, including smallholder farmers, pastoralists, women-led households and groups, youth, displaced people, and local committees and community-based organizations.

“The signing of this agreement marks not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a long-term collaboration with UNOPS, the Federal Government of Somalia and the state of Puntland to develop and strengthen the sustainable use of land and water resources by communities in Puntland, while building the capacities needed to enhance their resilience,” said Michael Wehinger, Head of Department, East and West Africa, KfW.

Read more here.