With financing from the British Embassy in Mogadishu, the UN Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) and planned contributions from USAID and the Somalia Joint Fund (SJF), the programme aims to build resilience against climate shocks in communities along the Shabelle River

Jowhar, Somalia. –  Today in Jowhar, Somalia, the Somali government, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and UN partners launched the Jowhar Offstream Storage Programme (JOSP), a large-scale, transformative initiative that aims to build resilience and improve wellbeing for communities along the Shabelle river. The launch highlighted the need for a new approach to business that addresses both immediate and long-term needs to transform communities towards sustainable growth. 

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of Somalia, H.E. Salah Jama, called the initiative a testament to the power of collaboration in averting humanitarian needs and driving the country toward a better future. "Community ownership and integration are essential. The community must understand that the programme belongs to them, and a sense of ownership is crucial for its success. We need to change the perception that the canal is a government project, so people recognize it as their own. This programme should pave the way for new initiatives and demonstrate to donors the great potential of investing in Somalia."

 Acknowledging the groundbreaking and innovative JOSP initiative, the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, H.E. Mohamed A. Hayir (Maareeye),expressed his “gratitude to the FAO for securing funding and uniting the community for this programme.” “JOSP will significantly impact the regions by reducing upstream flooding and supplying water to downstream communities. Strategically located, this programme will benefit from Johwar's central position, ensuring success and advantages for both upstream and downstream areas”. The Minister also added that effective governance will be ensured through the involvement of communities, water committees, elders, cooperatives, and districts. 

Mr George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, emphasized that effective UN coordination was essential for improving the lives of all Somalis, noting that JOSP offers sustainable solutions to recurring natural disasters, exemplifies the UN's commitment to collaboration with the government to support Somalia's national transformational vision, and elicits donor commitment when credible solutions are presented. 

For his part, Mr Alexander Jones, Director of Resource Mobilisation for FAO, expressed his optimism on the collaborative nature of JOSP, underlining how the programme was an example of the importance of forging partnerships to address the many and varied climate change and conflict challenges facing Somalia.

 At the event's conclusion, Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein (Gudlawe) expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, stating: “We are enthusiastic about the programme’s transformative approach to bring vast areas of land to production and improve natural resource management. By restoring reservoirs, and addressing conflict, we are showing our commitment to climate resilience and conflict mitigation for the benefit of our communities. We appreciate FAO’s leadership on initiating this programme, to which Hirshabelle state remains fully dedicated.” 

BACKGROUND TO EDITORS – ABOUT JOSP 

JOSP is a multi-partner, multi-year programme designed to mitigate drought and floods and boost agricultural production for sustained food security and climate resilience along the Shabelle River in southern Somalia. It is a collaborative effort between the government of Somalia, FAO, and its UN partners – the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Settlement Programme (UN Habitat), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with support from the British Embassy in Mogadishu, the UN Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) and planned contributions from USAID and the Somalia Joint Fund (SJF).

The programme targets five critical areas to boost resilience and sustainability in Somalia. It aims to rehabilitate the core JOSP infrastructure, consisting of the outlet and supply canals, the Sabuun barrage, the Hawadley reservoir, and irrigation systems. The programme promotes inclusive resource management using ecosystem-based approaches and supports climate-smart agriculture and value chain development. Additionally, it addresses social cohesion and inclusion of marginalized groups, including minorities and displaced persons, through durable solutions and peacebuilding. Finally, it focuses on building institutional capacity for water resources management, ensuring effective governance and community support. 

The programme is expected to enhance access to water for irrigation for over 300,000 people across five districts, reduce flood risk for 1.5 million people, and mitigate drought impact for 1.65 million people. It will substantially increase local food production and lead to savings of up to USD 36 million per year in humanitarian assistance costs as the food security situation improves by the end of the project.

Media contact: 

Masimba. Nyamanhindi

Communication Specialist

FAO Somalia

[email protected]

@faosomalia