The Federal Government of Somalia, the African Development Bank Group, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have launched an $11.8 million initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience and improving livelihoods for drought-affected communities across the country.
The three-year program, known as Activating Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia (ACALS), is financed by the African Development Fund, the concessional financing arm of the African Development Bank Group. The project will support approximately 180,000 people, or 30,000 families, in the drought-prone regions of Hirshabelle and Puntland.
The initiative focuses on enhancing agricultural and pastoral systems through sustainable land and water management, improved productivity, stronger market access, and increased disaster preparedness. It is designed to help vulnerable communities adapt to the growing impacts of climate change while promoting long-term food security and economic stability.
Under the program, farmers, particularly women and young people, will benefit from irrigation rehabilitation projects, climate-resilient farming practices, business support services, and improved access to markets. The initiative will also strengthen early warning systems, community disaster response mechanisms, and ecosystem-based climate adaptation efforts.
Somalia continues to face severe food insecurity, with millions of people experiencing crisis-level hunger due to recurring droughts, insecurity, reduced humanitarian funding, and broader regional challenges. Development partners believe that investing in resilience-building measures is essential to reducing vulnerability and supporting sustainable recovery.
The ACALS project also marks the first joint implementation effort between WFP and UNOPS in Somalia, highlighting a new level of collaboration among international development agencies. Beyond infrastructure improvements, the initiative aims to establish climate-resilient systems and strengthen local governance structures that can withstand future environmental shocks.
The program aligns with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan 2025–2029 and supports the country’s broader efforts to build institutional capacity, improve agricultural productivity, and strengthen climate adaptation strategies. By bringing together government institutions, international organizations, financial partners, and local communities, the initiative seeks to create lasting solutions to some of Somalia’s most pressing development challenges.
As climate-related risks continue to threaten livelihoods across the Horn of Africa, the ACALS project represents a significant step toward building resilient communities, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable economic growth in Somalia.
