Al-Makhzoumi Secures Landmark Climate Resilience Funding for Somalia

Ambassador Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the Federal Government of Somalia, recently attended the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Board meeting, where a groundbreaking $100 million was approved to finance the Climate Resilient Agriculture project, “Ugbaad,” in Somalia.

“Today, we made history with the approval of our first single-country project—one of the fastest ever approved by the GCF Board,” Minister Khadija stated on her X platform.

The board’s meeting, held in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea, from October 21-24, 2024, resulted in the sanctioning of a total of USD 94,901,497 to enhance climate-resilient agriculture and landscape management in Somalia. This funding includes a significant contribution of USD 79,707,268 from the GCF, along with an additional USD 15.19 million from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the USAID-funded TRANSFORM project.

This newly endorsed project aims to transform Somalia’s agricultural practices by improving water management systems, introducing climate-adaptive crops, and strengthening the resilience of local farming communities. Such initiatives are essential for mitigating the impacts of climate variability and ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity amidst increasing environmental challenges.

The approval process for the “Ugbaad” project was remarkably swift, concluding within just five months due to intensive lobbying and strategic prioritization by Minister Khadija Al-Makhzoumi. Her leadership highlighted the commitment of Somalia to actively combat the adverse effects of climate change.

Ugbaad aspires to enhance the resilience of Somalia’s rural communities and ecosystems by promoting sustainable land management practices, improving access to water, implementing climate-resilient agricultural techniques, and developing value chains. The project will restore over 50,000 hectares of degraded land, train 86,000 farmers and pastoralists in climate-smart agriculture, and rehabilitate vital infrastructure, including irrigation canals and rural roads.

By strengthening value chains for key agricultural products and enhancing access to climate information services, Ugbaad is set to empower communities to better cope with climate shocks and improve their livelihoods.

Focusing on food security, the project is set to directly benefit 1.2 million people and indirectly benefit an additional 973,000 individuals. By improving water access and encouraging sustainable farming practices, Ugbaad aims to elevate food production and reduce reliance on food imports and aid. Importantly, gender equality will be a core component, with women accounting for 50 percent of the beneficiaries.

Minister Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi emphasized, “This funding signifies a monumental step forward for Somalia as we strive to strengthen our climate action against the unpredictability of climate change. With the support of the GCF and FAO, we are prepared to implement innovative solutions that will not only enhance our water management systems but also introduce sustainable farming practices vital for our future.”

As Somalia gears up for the upcoming COP29, focusing on Climate Finance, this funding approval represents a significant achievement in the country’s efforts to secure essential resources for its climate adaptation strategies. It serves as a major boost for the nation, exemplifying successful lobbying and a proactive approach to addressing critical environmental and agricultural issues.

Somalia has intensified its focus on environmental and climate change issues since 2022 when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud established the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and appointed Ambassador Khadija Al-Makhzoumi as its head.

That same year, the President and Minister Khadija officially launched the Great Green Wall Initiative, aimed at confronting challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. This ambitious program seeks to plant millions of trees, restoring degraded landscapes and improving air quality to enhance ecological balance.

This initiative underscores Somalia’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental resilience, focusing on tree-planting while also raising awareness about climate issues and promoting green practices within communities. By mobilizing support across various sectors, the Great Green Wall Initiative aims to engage the public and encourage participation in environmental conservation efforts.

In recognition of the success and impact of the Great Green Wall Initiative, Somalia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was honored in November 2023 for leading a localized fight against climate change. Minister Al-Makhzoumi received the Africa Sustainability Award (ASO Awards) for her efforts in empowering local communities to adapt to erratic climate patterns.

In a statement, Dr. Anyangwe Emmanuel Ngassa, Chair of the ASO Awards Nominations Committee, praised her commitment to creating a sustainable future for Africa: “You have set a great vision to plant millions of trees, promote renewable energy solutions, empower women and youth, and create an enabling environment for peace.”

He added, “You have also led advocacy for environmental awareness, actively engaging with local, national, regional, and international actors to address the challenging issues of sustainable development in Somalia.”

With the recent GCF funding and the ambition of the Ugbaad project, Somalia is poised to take significant strides toward climate resilience and sustainable development, ensuring a brighter, greener future for its communities.