MOGADISHU, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday that a new project to strengthen the climate resilience of Somali and Kenyan border communities has been launched.
The IOM said the project, namely Enhancing Resilience in Border Communities: Climate-Adapted Water Management and Feeder Roads (Daris Wacan), marks a significant step toward improving climate resilience, water resource management, and socio-economic development for border communities in Somalia and Kenya.
Said Mohamed Mohamud, Somali state minister of public works, reconstruction and housing, said the project would support income-generating activities to help communities diversify their income and reduce reliance on dwindling natural resources.
"The Daris Wacan project aligns with our development policies, including trade opportunities, enhancing cross-border management and integration, and fostering common security operations," Mohamud said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
The three-year project, funded by the European Union and to be implemented by the IOM and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, aims to benefit 160,000 people by expanding access to sustainable water, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting climate-adaptive livelihoods.
"This project is also a testament to our regional collaboration, as it brings together diverse people from different governments and local community groups," Mohamud said.
Daris Wacan, which means "good neighbors" in Somali, targets drought-affected border communities reliant on transboundary natural resources and struggling with insufficient water for human and livestock consumption and agriculture.
Frantz Celestin, IOM regional director for East, Horn, and Southern Africa, said climate challenges do not recognize borders, and neither should the solutions.
"Through Daris Wacan, we are not only improving infrastructure but also fostering regional cooperation, strengthening governance, and addressing underlying sources of conflict related to water and natural resources," Celestin added.
Gamal Hassan, director of IGAD Center of Excellence for Climate Adaptation and Environmental Protection, said improving access to clean water and extending coverage of reliable roads would significantly change the lives of border communities, leading to long-term resilience.
"With better infrastructure, families can support their livestock, farmers can irrigate their crops, and traders can reach markets more easily. This project is a game-changer for enhancing climate resilience and economic development that has the potential to positively impact the wider IGAD region," Hassan noted. ■
