Somalia

In Somalia’s urban areas, many parts of the infrastructure have been destroyed, are in need of renovation or are inadequate. However, the many internally displaced persons, returnees, and rapid population growth are simultaneously creating a constantly growing need for efficient and effective infrastructure. To counteract this pressure, KfW Development Bank supports the rebuilding, extension and improvement of urban infrastructure on behalf of the German Federal Government.

In conjunction with other donors, for example, the construction of roads in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa and Garowe is being financed and monitored using a fund managed by the World Bank. As a precaution against heavy rainfall, the construction of drainage infrastructure, such as gutters or drainage channels, is supported in addition to new well paved roads.

In cooperation with UNICEF, KfW is also supporting improved access to basic health care in Garowe, the capital of the Puntland region, and its direct surroundings. To achieve this, German funds are being used for measures including the renovation of the central hospital, several smaller hospitals and 12 health centres.

To directly improve people’s living standards, KfW is employing a closely coordinated group of measures for food security, education, health care and agriculture in selected rural regions of Somalia. These measures are financed using funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s transitional aid. Given the lacking or weak state structures in Somalia, KfW Development Bank is implementing these multi-year resilience programmes via UN organisations. In the first phase, a joint and coordinated programme approach was applied in conjunction with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations’ World Food Programme. In the current phase, agriculture-related measures are supplementing the programme. These are being implemented by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In terms of its content, the combined approach is being coordinated with the local specialist ministries in Somalia.

The programmes focus primarily on women and children living in particularly difficult circumstances. The goal is to strengthen this group and put them in a position that enables them to respond better to ongoing crises and new shocks. To reach them, schools and health centres are important points of contact in the programme.

In Somalia, employment and vocational education are important approaches for tackling poverty and creating new prospects for the people. Using funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) special initiative “Tackling the root causes of displacement – Stabilising host regions – Supporting refugees” KfW Development Bank is financing projects such as a cash for work programme in the city of Baidoa, implemented through the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The construction work to renovate infrastructure around the informal settlements involves internally displaced persons, returnees and members of the host communities. This gives them short-term employment while also strengthening integration and social cohesion.

In cooperation with experienced non-governmental organisations, KfW is implementing another project in the cities of Galkayo, Jowhar and Baidoa to build integrated trade schools, upgrade existing ones and provide them with modern equipment. The aim of this work is to improve teenagers’ and young people’s access to high quality vocational education and thereby contribute to the reduction of youth unemployment and increase local economic development. This work also supports the trade schools in developing their own broad programme of services to help them generate income and become self-sufficient over the long term.

In response to recurrent droughts and advancing soil erosion, KfW Development Bank is working on behalf of the BMZ to finance a sustainable resource management project in Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia. In this project, resident farmers implement simple anti-erosion measures themselves, restoring their fertile land and reducing demand for scarce water resources. For the construction of larger infrastructure, local companies are brought on board. The local economy also receives a boost, as a result.

To improve the urban population’s supply of clean drinking water, KfW is expanding urban water and waste water systems in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. It is working with local authorities to implement these projects. As part of this work, new pipelines, a service reservoir, water kiosks, hygiene blocks and a waste water treatment plant are being built.

These will be of particular benefit to the poor population in informal parts of the city, who will be supplied by the water kiosks. Thanks to the reliable access to hygienic drinking water, water-borne illnesses will decrease.