Overview
Classified by the United Nations as a least developed country and a water-scarce country, Somalia is notoriously dry, with much of the country relying on rainfall and groundwater to survive. However, this belies the fact that the two rivers in the south of the country flood regularly, leaving people displaced and local economies deeply impacted. In 2020, Pegasys was brought on board to support the Federal Government of Somalia in developing a National Water Resource Strategy and Roadmap that will help the country to improve not only its water resources management and water supply, but also rural and urban livelihoods.
The Challenges
- Poverty challenges are significant, with almost 70% of Somalis living under the international poverty line.
- The entire country has only two river systems, the Juba and Shabelle rivers, both of which are located in the south. The remainder of the population relies either on ephemeral streams or groundwater. In a country where livestock and agricultural production are significant contributors to the GDP, water resource management is critical.
- New water supply infrastructure is required, and existing infrastructure requires improvements in order to support the developmental needs of the country.
- Civil war and unrest in the previous three decades has resulted in the country having a relatively young population, with 75% of its people now under the age of 35. This creates challenges with regard to experienced management and leadership.
- The country has a very strong federal system, which divides it into several separate states. Creating a clear strategy that translates into nationwide change requires all the Federal Member States’ engagement and support.
Without a practical, comprehensive strategy that can give the Government a clear vision to improve the country’s water supply – especially in major urban areas – Somalis will continue to struggle, as will the country they call home.
The Solution
In 2020, Pegasys was commissioned to develop a National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) for the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, providing practical guidance on managing water resources for the 2021-2025 period.
The NWRS gives strategic direction to a fragmented water sector, helping it to improve the availability, distribution and management of water across Somalia. It provides a fully integrated and comprehensive solution, connecting the needs of the water sector with those of several other sectors. This makes it a practical and pragmatic instrument that can truly translate into on-the-ground action.
Pegasys also developed several supporting components to the strategy, including an implementation plan that narrowed it down to 13 key flagship projects that will need to be implemented over the next five years.
We spend a lot of time building relationships with people, because that’s where the magic happens – when people connect and start openly sharing.
Derek Weston, Associate Director
Results
- The NWRS was finalised in April 2021 and launched in August 2021.
- In the interim, Pegasys is working with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to implement a training programme that will help it to build capacity and ensure its staff members know exactly what they need to do, and how to take the strategy forward.
- Over the next five years, the NWRS should help the Ministry to improve sector governance and build capacity to support operational development. With these goals in mind, Pegasys provided the Ministry with strategic direction on certain key flagship projects that will support the country’s socioeconomic growth.
- Pegasys aims to help the Ministry to implement certain elements of the strategy. Having completed the planning work, we look forward to turning plans into actions, actions into change, and change into improved livelihoods for many people in Somalia’s key urban areas.
The Numbers
Because we’re an African company, we really do understand Africa. We know how it functions and we understand the importance of hearing people out and giving them the time and space to engage.
Derek Weston, Associate Director
