By Goth Mohamed Goth
Hargeisa – The Government of Somaliland has officially marked the conclusion of the ‘Villages of Hope – Climate Change Resilience Project,’ a landmark water security initiative financed by the State of Kuwait and expertly executed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The closing ceremony, held in the capital, signified a major breakthrough in the country’s ongoing battle against climate-induced water scarcity.
Central to the project’s success are two cutting-edge rainwater harvesting reservoirs, strategically built in the drought-prone settlements of Naq-Dhabiijo in the Togdheer region and Xaaxi in the Daadmadheedh region. These modern catchments are designed to serve as permanent lifelines, capturing and storing vast quantities of rainwater to sustain both human communities and their livestock through the harshest dry seasons and recurrent droughts. By securing this vital resource, the initiative is poised to drastically reduce water-related displacement, alleviate pastoral tensions, and fortify the long-term adaptive resilience of some of Somaliland’s most vulnerable families.
Overseeing the closing event, the Minister of Water Development extended profound gratitude to the Government of Kuwait for its visionary and generous financial backing, which he noted has translated directly into tangible relief on the ground. He equally commended the FAO for its flawless technical oversight and its enduring, collaborative partnership with the Ministry, which ensured the project was delivered on schedule and to the highest standards.
In his address, the Minister underscored that the initiative stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved through effective tripartite cooperation—uniting national leadership, international technical expertise, and committed development partners. He described the project as a replicable blueprint for future interventions, demonstrating how targeted investments in water infrastructure can fundamentally transform the daily realities of communities long ravaged by environmental hardship.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister made an impassioned plea to both the FAO and the Kuwaiti government to significantly scale up their development engagement. He specifically called for an expanded portfolio of water retention schemes, enhanced rainwater capture systems, and broader drought-mitigation programs across the country. While acknowledging the success of the ‘Villages of Hope,’ he stressed that Somaliland’s water deficit remains vast and unrelenting, and that sustained, increased international support is imperative to safeguard the livelihoods and future prosperity of its people
