Somalia’s drought-hit communities to secure access to water with support from Saudi Fund for Development
Mogadishu, Somalia | July 2025
Rural Somali communities hit hard by water scarcity are taking a decisive step toward sustainable access to clean water, thanks to a new community-led borehole initiative jointly implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
Following a series of community-level consultations across Somalia’s most drought-affected districts, UNDP, led by local communities and their governments, has initiated the process of constructing boreholes in four most-affected settlements of Qararo, Shangeed, Owrbogeys, and Bacadweyn.
All four sites have completed formation of the Water User Associations (WUAs) to manage their new water infrastructure, starting from the construction phase. The project, part of the Sustainable Access to Water for Rural Communities initiative, will see 10 new boreholes drilled across Somalia by 2026.
UNDP study shows that about 73 percent of conflicts in Somalia are induced by contest on natural resources with a direct bearing on environmental conditions causing drought and flood in Somalia. The project’s community-led approach is expected to help address the risks of conflict as well.
In Qararo village, home to 2,545 people, no functional borehole exists. Women and children often walk up to 15 kilometers to fetch water, relying on seasonal rain-fed reservoirs, known locally as barkado, or trucking water from as far as Galdogob, 180 kilometers away.
“Historically, the first well in this region was drilled during President Siyad Barre’s time, and for decades it was our only source of water,” said Chief Mohamed Hussein Ow Farah of Qararo. “We often queued for days to fetch water and were forced to buy trucked water at high prices during drought. This new borehole, owned by the community, will bring lasting relief and free our women and children from that burden. We thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for recognizing our urgent need for clean water.”
In Bacadweyn, where 2,200 households rely on a single functional borehole, water rationing has become routine during droughts. The town operates under a public-private partnership (PPP) water system, but demand often overwhelms supply.
“Our current system cannot meet both community and livestock needs during peak dry seasons,” said Chief Mursal Hussein Nur. “A second operational borehole will allow us to stabilize supply, protect livelihoods, and ensure that no one is left without water. We are deeply grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for standing with our people.”
Community ownership: A game-changer
A defining feature of this initiative is the return of water ownership to communities. For years, most water sources in rural Somalia have been controlled by private operators, leaving families who cannot afford the high prices to suffer.
To change this, UNDP and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources have established inclusive Water User Associations (WUAs) in each of the four project locations. Comprising 6 to 11 members representing all segments of the community, these associations will own and manage the new boreholes, overseeing operations, maintenance, and revenue collection.
By placing control in the hands of local communities, the initiative is breaking historic dependence on private water cartels and promoting sustainable, equitable access.
“What makes this water project special is that it returns ownership and control of boreholes to communities, breaking the grip of private cartels,” said Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Director of Water Resource Development and Hydrology at MoEWR. “In a country where water is life but painfully scarce, this approach is transformative. We send our deep gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Government welcomes the project approach
Senior officials emphasized that the project addresses both immediate water needs and long-term climate resilience.
“The well-drilling initiative is delivering clean water, enhancing public health, and reinforcing the resilience of our rural communities,” said Abdillahi Hassan Aden, Director General at MoEWR. “We respectfully encourage our partners to sustain and expand this vital support to reach more vulnerable regions.”
“This initiative strengthens local capacity and promotes sustainable water resource management,” added Ahmed Mohamed Hassan. “It supports the dignity and well-being of our people and contributes to lasting stability.”
Quick facts from the assessment
This initiative supports Somalia’s efforts to build resilience to climate shocks through locally led solutions that put communities in the driver’s seat. By combining community ownership, climate-resilient infrastructure, and donor solidarity, it lays the foundation for sustainable water security — ensuring that future generations will no longer have to spend days queuing for life’s most basic necessity.
Read more: www.undp.org/somalia
