The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Helping communities adapt to increasing climate shocks in Somalia
A new joint UNOPS-World Food Programme project financed by the African Development Bank Group is helping to address the recurrent droughts, floods and environmental degradation faced by Somalia.
For many rural and agro-pastoral communities in Somalia, climate shocks continue to disrupt agricultural production, reduce income opportunities and weaken their ability to recover.
The Federal Government of Somalia, the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNOPS are working together to help communities strengthen their resilience and build sustainable livelihoods.
Financed by the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional window, ‘Activating Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia’ (ACALS) initiative will help communities in Hirshabelle and Puntland safeguard their livelihoods against the growing impacts of climate shocks.
"Somalia's livestock and agricultural sectors require targeted interventions like ACALS to build resilience to climate change and improve their ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions,” said Hassan Hussein Mohamed, Somalia's Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range.
This initiative is not only about delivering infrastructure, but about building foundations of resilience.
The project will support reliable access to water for crops and livestock, strengthen sustainable natural resource management, and reduce communities’ exposure to droughts and floods through climate-resilient infrastructure. This will help communities continue to access essential services and livelihood opportunities even during climate shocks.
"Somalis continue to face climate shocks, conflict and fragile livelihoods, particularly in rural and agro-pastoral communities,” said Marco Selva, Deputy Country Director, WFP Somalia. “ACALS will help families build resilience for long-term food security while supporting broader development efforts.”
“This initiative is a practical response to the challenges facing the country,” said Pascal Sanginga, East Africa Regional Manager for Agriculture and Agro-Industry, African Development Bank Group.
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