- February 11, 2025
- Posted by: humanitarianweb
- Category: Humanitarian News
The seven-year project aims to enhance climate adaptation and resilience for vulnerable communities in Somalia.
Mogadishu, Somalia | January 10, 2025: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Somalia and with financial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has launched the Climate Resilient Agriculture in Somalia (Ugbaad) project. This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance climate resilience within Somalia’s agricultural sector. Officially approved by the GCF Board in October 2024, the project represents a significant step in tackling the pressing challenges posed by climate change, restoring productive landscapes, and empowering vulnerable local communities.
The Ugbaad project is projected to benefit over 2.1 million people, including 1.15 million direct recipients. It is poised to transform Somalia’s agricultural sector through locally led approaches and strategic investments in climate-resilient agriculture. In addition, 41 800 hectares of productive landscapes will be restored to build sustainable livelihoods in the target areas most vulnerable to recurrent drought and floods.
Speaking at the launch event, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama emphasized the Government’s commitment to tackling climate change as both a development challenge and an opportunity.
“Somalia is taking bold steps to ensure climate resilience is at the heart of our national development agenda. Through the Ugbaad project, we are integrating climate action into our National Transformation Plan, creating opportunities to restore landscapes, secure resilient livelihoods, and build a sustainable future for all,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
The Ugbaad project’s multi-faceted approach is designed to enhance ecological resilience through landscape restoration and sustainable management, promote climate-resilient agricultural practices, disseminate timely climate information to communities, improve water access for (agro)pastoralists, and build the capacity of federal and state-level institutions to implement policies for sustainable landscape management.
UN Resident Coordinator for Somalia George Conway emphasized the UN’s collective commitment to supporting Somalia’s climate resilience efforts.
“The Ugbaad project illustrates how targeted investments can improve livelihoods, restore ecosystems, and ensure food security for the future. In line with the UN Cooperation Framework and Somalia’s national priorities, we are committed to working closely with the government, FAO, and other partners to make climate adaptation a key focus of Somalia’s development agenda,” he noted.
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe Haile-Gabriel highlighted FAO’s role in supporting Somalia’s climate ambitions.
“The Ugbaad project exemplifies FAO’s commitment to working alongside governments to address the multifaceted challenges of climate change. By combining technical expertise with a focus on locally led adaptation efforts, we will ensure that farmers, agropastoralists, and pastoralists in Somalia can thrive in the face of climate challenges,” he said.
Somalia is vulnerable to climate change, facing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods, which exacerbate food insecurity and displacement. The agricultural sector is the main economic activity for an estimated 65 per cent of the population and contributes about 75 per cent of the gross domestic product. The collaborative spirit of the Ugbaad project will leverage partnerships and collaboration, build on lessons learned from previous initiatives, and align with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan, the UN Cooperation Framework, and the GCF’s Updated Strategic Plan.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Masimba Nyamanhindi | Communications Officer | FAO in Somalia
e: Masimba.nyamanhindi@fao.org | X: @faosomalia