Somalia
Topics
Parent Term: Our Main Focus: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Other Topics
Parent Term: Disaster Risk Reduction
Parent Term: Our Main Focus: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Parent Term: Emergency Aid & Rehabilitation
Global Program in 14 Countries
To protect the ecosystem in our project regions, arche noVa pursues a green humanitarian aid approach in Somalia. In planning, implementing, and monitoring relief measures, we focus on a forward-thinking, environmentally friendly, and locally adapted approach. These activities are part of a global program that we implement in collaboration with ASB, the German Toilet Organization, and numerous local partners. Together, we advance topics such as inclusion, ecological sustainability, disaster preparedness, and international knowledge transfer in a total of 14 countries.
Structural problems and acute crises
The most pressing problems facing people in Somalia include a lack of drinking water, food insecurity and a lack of income prospects. The vast majority of the population lives in great poverty and receives little support. The country is characterised by a lack of social services and a dilapidated infrastructure. The scarcity is omnipresent.
Against this backdrop, the population is repeatedly forced to cope with acute crises and disasters. Most recently, the country was on the brink of famine in 2023 due to a devastating drought and was hit just a few months later by the worst floods in generations.
arche noVa provides emergency relief
Our long-standing project area in south-central Somalia is repeatedly affected by acute emergencies. Most recently, at the end of 2023, there was an enormous flood disaster along the river courses, particularly on the Shabelle. With our local partner organisation, we distributed relief supplies and set up temporary sanitation facilities.
Water projects as a contribution to greater resilience
The aim of our work in Somalia is to strengthen the resilience of the people, so that crises pose less of an existential threat to them. Access to drinking water plays a central role in this.
arche noVa has been involved in water supply activities in Somalia since 2016. In doing so, we are addressing the greatest need for aid in the country, as identified by the United Nations. According to UN OCHA, 5.2 million Somalis are affected by a lack of water and sanitation.
Our water projects include the expansion of wells and the construction of new rainwater storage facilities. We are also building water supply systems in our project communities, where many internally displaced people usually live alongside the local population. In the rapidly growing towns, arche noVa works with local partner organisations to construct water tanks, pipes and distribution points.
Among other activities, new water kiosks are being built. These are independently managed water distribution points in the camps, which, in addition to securing the water supply, also provide an income for the operators.
The new tank brings us a leap in quality. The next water point was four kilometres away. The tank came at exactly the right time because everyone is afraid of the next drought.
Ruqiyo Mohamed Ibrahim, operator of a water kiosk
Several municipal water systems in the communities are being rehabilitated. This includes the construction of rainwater storage tanks and the renovation of boreholes and dug wells, as well as the construction or repair of toilets.
Another focus is the water supply in schools. This is a major contribution to improving the learning environment and is therefore important for the future of the children.
Donate for this project
15
Water - Kit (20 l canister, 10 l bucket, soap)
75
water supply for two children at their school
120
Toilet for one family
Project Overview
Objective
Securing livelihoods through access to water, sanitation and hygiene as well as below implement innovative and sustainable approaches in WASH. The aim is also to build resilience through DRR to build the resilience of communities to climate change shocks.
Target Group
At least 200,000 people from IDP camps, host communities affected by floods, droughts and conflicts in the project locations in Gedo, Lower Juba and Galgaduud, South-Central Somalia
Activities
- Access to clean water through sustainable water infrastructure measures- rehabilitation of wells, boreholes, water reservoirs and construction of sand dams and rainwater tanks
- Construction of water kiosks for water distribution
- Emergency water provision and water filtration systems through installation of sky hydrant water filters and chlorination
- Establishment and training of water committees
- Improvement of sanitary and hygiene conditions (e.g. distribution of WASH and NFI kits, toilet construction, hygiene education, establishment and training of women's sanitary groups for waste management)
- Emergency aid for flood affected areas (e.g. distribution of WASH and NFI kits, reconstruction of emergency latrines,)
- Community Disaster risk reduction trainings and establishment of DRR committees at community level to improve early action and response to disaster risks
Duration
since 2012
Co-operation partners
- Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH)
- Action for Social and Economic Progress (ASEP)
Donors
- Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Transitional Aid)
- Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection (IKI)
- German Federal Foreign Office
- Private donors
Förderer
