This initiative is part of MSF's comprehensive strategy to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 20, 2025/APO Group/ --
In a transformative step towards sustainability and improved healthcare delivery, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recently upgraded the solar energy system at Mudug Regional Hospital in Galkayo, Somalia. Launched in October 2024, this ambitious initiative involved expanding and rehabilitating the hospital's solar photovoltaic (PV) infrastructure, including the installation of advanced inverters, additional solar panels, and state-of-the-art monitoring tools.
This initiative is part of MSF's comprehensive strategy to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability, not only benefiting Galkayo but also setting a benchmark for similar sustainable projects across the region and throughout Somalia. By transitioning from diesel generators to renewable energy, MSF addresses the broader environmental footprint, contributing to reduced air pollution and enhanced resilience against climate shocks nationwide.
Prior to this upgrade, MSF-supported wards at Mudug Regional Hospital heavily relied on diesel generators, burning thousands of litres of fuel monthly. This dependency led to substantial operational costs and contributed significantly to carbon emissions, undermining MSF’s broader environmental commitments and exacerbating local air pollution.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognises Somalia as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change globally. The country is severely impacted by recurrent climate shocks such as prolonged droughts, severe floods, and rising temperatures. These environmental factors directly threaten healthcare provision by exacerbating public health challenges, including increased rates of malnutrition, outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera, and the heightened spread of vector-borne illnesses such as malaria.
“The climate crisis isn't just an environmental issue—it directly impacts human health, particularly in vulnerable regions like Mudug,” explains Mohsin Rafiq, MSF Project coordinator in Mudug, Somalia. “With this solar initiative, we're not only significantly cutting our carbon emissions but also ensuring a reliable and continuous healthcare service, especially during climate-induced emergencies.”
The solar initiative at Mudug Regional Hospital exemplifies MSF’s broader commitment to tackling environmental challenges throughout Somalia. Expanding sustainable healthcare infrastructure across both northern and southern parts of Galkayo and extending to other regions is crucial, given Somalia's extreme vulnerability to climate change, as identified by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Reducing dependence on diesel generators not only significantly cuts operational costs but also substantially mitigates carbon emissions, thereby setting a standard for health facilities nationwide. This approach ensures that sustainable energy solutions become integral to healthcare resilience, allowing MSF to effectively manage healthcare delivery during climate-induced emergencies.
The newly installed hybrid solar grid-tied system, rated at 60kW/30kW, markedly reduces operational costs and lowers carbon emissions. The system is designed to deliver reliable and uninterrupted energy to the hospital, enhancing the facility's resilience against energy disruptions common with diesel-powered systems. Moreover, the integration of internet-connected monitoring tools provides MSF staff with real-time data on energy use, system efficiency, and performance, facilitating proactive maintenance and ensuring sustainability for years to come.
Mohsin underscores the critical need for climate resilience in healthcare infrastructure: “The frequent and intense climate shocks Somalia experiences compound existing healthcare crises, leaving vulnerable communities even more exposed. Renewable energy solutions like the upgraded solar system in Galkacyo enables us to respond effectively to these challenges, maintaining essential medical services precisely when they're needed most.”
This innovative solar upgrade aligns with MSF's commitment to environmental sustainability, directly supporting the organisation's goal of halving its carbon emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. It also serves as a model of practical climate action within the humanitarian sector, demonstrating how sustainable energy initiatives can be successfully integrated into essential medical operations, even in crisis-affected areas.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
It will be a waste of time to wage a war on Al Shabaab. Because they just want an excuse to be aggravated. What we need is to be vigilant and not complacent at all times.
it should be a war on all aspects: political, military, intelligence, media and most importantly ideology. Islam has a name for these kind of people: Khawarij and the prophet has called to fight them so it is a MUST not a choice to fight these people but does Riyale has what it takes for this war? I doubt that very much
Mr Riyale, I can understand to fight Shabab there is political gains but look the big picture. Instead of calling them to attack Somaliland, why don’t you ask these questions:
a)Why Alshabab attacked us.
b)If one decided to fight them would be otherway to fight them rather than guns.
c)Either you are with us or against us doesn’t work and to fight them you should understand why are they fighting for.
Somaliland doen’t have the power and the economical to fight Shabab and Ethopia who are better train than us were force to leave Somalia by the International Community and daily attacks from Shabab.
Shabab doen’t want to attack Somalis but those who they think collabroted with their enemy whom ever they are.
Don’t forget Shabab was also part of these who defeated Somali warlords.
I am not shabab supporter in anyway but I also know they are Somali brothers who see things differently than i do. Somaliland doen’t need war with anyone including Shabab but only defend itself if attack.
Mr. Riyale you were very lucky when Shabab easily came to your office and they can do this in the future so stop attracting them. Somaliland wouldn’t save you from Shabab so becareful what you wish for.
Your energy should be on election and how to stop Somaliland youngers from joing Shabab and ask the United Nation to help us to creat jobs for them eventhough they don’t recognized us.
Shabab had already declared war on S/Land. S/Land has only one option – to fight back by all means and ensure that Shabab is defeated permanently.
a)Why Alshabab attacked us? – There is no justification to commit suicide to kill innocent people. They will be dragged to hell fire (Jahanam) in the day of judgment.
b) -It is all out war and there will be no mercy.
c) – Either they stop shedding Muslim blood or they will be exterminated.
-Somaliland is not Ethiopia. We are Somalis, and we know each other very well. Shabab or like will not dare to face Somaliland.
– Are you kidding?! Of course you are shabab advocate.
– Mr. Riyale will die only when Allah say so, not the so called Shabab.
– Security first, everything else second.
Al shabab can not win a military war againest Somaliland but It can win an Ideology war againest Somaliland if we let our guard down, we have to be vigilant and make sure no Somalilander who truely believe in Islam will ever believe this group who are truely anti Islam and againest our believe. We should fight them in every schools and mosques so they do not get any footing in Somaliland.
The other think we all have to know they never believe in Somaliland existance and in this regards they do have a lot in common with our enemy where ever they are.
Please, be vigilant againest the internal enemies these are the enemies who are hard to Identify than the external enemies.
Long live Somaliland and it's people!
No one has the rights to take another person is life either the person is Muslim or non-Muslim. Yes, some of the Shabab actions had taken innocent lives and they will be judge in the court of Allah.
No one has the power to decide who will go to Jana or Jahanaba. Allah is forgivable and you can’t 100% sure if Shababs would go to jahanaba. Alshabab doesn’t like Somaliland for two reason:
a) We are too close to Ethopia that they consider their enemy.
b)Our system is democracy they also consider that the western idea. Those Somalis in Somalia know more about Shabab than we do but they couldn’t defeat them with the help of Ethopia.
c) We give away business people who has nothing to do with political to Ethopia because Ethopia think they are ONLf.
I say again that the only way Somliland can fight them is to keep its younger citizen from Shabab. By doing that you cutting of Shabab from local supporters and attacking the source of the problems. We don’t want to invite Shabab to our land by declaring war that has no value but take the lives of Muskiin Somalis.
Yes anyone can go for good when Allah wants him or her to go but you don’t sleep in the middle of Highway and argue you will die when your time is up. I have no fate that Mr. Riyale would be safe in the Hands of Somaliland security force. I’m sorry but S.land Security force fail to capture Dadqalato;therefore, this is frienly advise for Mr. Riyale to protect himself from those who want to get rid off him including Shabab.
Don’t get upset, it all about idea.
We are 100% sure that shabab suiciders are going to Jahanam.
وكذلك جعلناكم امة وسطالتكونو شهداء على الناس ويكون الرسول شهيدا عليكم.
I'm in USA and trying to study Somali anarchy as a positive event. Watching the "transitional government" which seems supported only by outside intruders like our USA bothers me greatly, as we watch our government succumb to rulers.
From what I have learned thus far, it seems that much of the Somali troubles with Islam groups is from also caused by outside interference. I am just trying to learn.
That is true. If you remove the outside factor, shabab or like will not have a place in the Somali society and they will simply become nobody. As Somalis we know each other very well. Every one belongs to a clan. Nobody will dare to fool around in other clan's territory. In short, everybody will go back to his clan and the so-called shabab will cease to exist.
Thank you Ahmed, you show very good sense. In anarchy, no matter where, people soon learn to protect those within their circle, and not to intrude on another circle (or clan, or family). That seems to drive those with governments nuts, because they have no clue how they might "control" a land without a government.
However, now Somali-land has in some way (I'm not yet sure just how or why or how effectively, still researching) created another government. Also the UN has just declared all of Somalia to be under some interim UN government.
The trouble with all governments throughout history has been that they function only thru their supposed right to "Force", and always that force increases until finally the people get rid of those Rulers and sadly, they eventually start all over with another.
My premise holds that humanity must learn somehow to live without force, which means either anarchy or a completely voluntary system which cannot "govern'.
I'll watch for your further response. Thank you.
Without question, Somali societies are anarchy and they were that way for so many centuries. But the clan has been the center of gravity and control. Individuals are taught and raised to avoid actions that may bring shame to the clan or family. Other than that, they were free to express themselves and run there day to day life. Even when war brakes between clans, there was and still traditional rules that govern the behavior of warring parties: Children, women and elders could not be harmed.
In reality, the concept of government under which all Somalis to unite was an outside idea.
In modern Somaliland we recognize the positive role of the clan in the stability and security of society. All clan are represented in the house of elders, the Guurti (Which is the highest authority in the country). Also, until today individuals avoid any actions that may bring shame to their clan. On the other hand, everyone agrees to have a government that can establish basic law and order.
I'm a young somalilander and minnesotan. I believe our qwest for somaliland recognition failed terribly and further pursuit is waste of time, energy, and money.
A lot of young somalilanders believe that we ought to change our strategy and come up with new creative idea. It is clear that southerners are are going to be in the current mess for the forseeable future and we (somaliland) will not achieve recognition until Somalia is lawless. That is what we have to understand without delusioanal. Many somalilanders believe that Godane is the last hope for both somaliland and Somalia.
A lot of young people believe Godane is the Mahdi of somali people in the 21st century and muslims in the horn in general. many beleive he is Ahmed Gurey of our time who will save the somali race and muslim religion and somali integrity. He already gave Ethiopian a lasting lesson by forcing them to withdraw. A lot of young s/landers believe our son is a hero. That's just my opinion. it doesn't mean I'm advocate for him or his organization!
My Dear Friend
The Somaliland quest for recognition did not fail. On the contrary, the quest has reached at very advanced stage. We are at stage that we have convinced the world that following Somaliland model is the only way to reach lasting peace and stability in Somalia. Another important factor is that the majority of Somalia population respect Somaliland and its people and most of them believe that Somaliland is the only hope for Somali race. For example, you will find in Hargeisa Somalis from all corners of Somalia who want live in Somaliland because of peace and civility. On the other hand, you are right, we need new strategy, creative ideas and out of the approach to reach our goal of attaining the recognition of international community.
Godane or like is not and will not be the hope of Somaliland. Because he is not moderate Muslim. Islam is teaching us love, mercy and humanity, justice, fairness, decency. Allah said in the Quran to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) "We have only sent you to be mercy to mankind" As a Muslim, my mission in this world is to follow the mission of prophet Mohammed, that is to be mercy to mankind, to be fair and to spread peace and love in my community and in my world.