JOWHAR, Somalia – In a significant step towards addressing climate change challenges, the Jowhar Off-stream Storage Program (JOSP) was officially launched today in Jowhar, Hirshabelle State.
The initiative aims to reduce flood risk, mitigate drought, and create a climate-resilient irrigation scheme for over 1.5 million people living along the Shabelle River.
The launch ceremony was attended by high-level officials including the Deputy Prime Minister, the President of Hirshabelle State, and federal ministers. The event marked a crucial milestone in Somalia’s efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change, which have been causing recurring floods and droughts in the region.
The Jowhar Off-stream Storage Program is part of a larger initiative to rehabilitate a large irrigation scheme in two regions of Hirshabelle State, targeting 1.5 million people. The scheme aims to reduce flood risk and mitigate drought by managing the river waters effectively.
This project is funded by the United Kingdom and is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and World Vision International-Somalia in partnership with the Somali government.
The JOSP project is not only expected to reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate change impacts but also to promote a shift towards sustainable production and self-sufficiency, supporting peace, stability, and social cohesion in areas impacted by conflict.
This timely and generous support from the UK represents a significant investment in the JOSP programme, which is expected to directly benefit approximately 1.5 million beneficiaries across five districts in Hirshabelle once the core JOSP infrastructure is restored and functional.
The project is part of a broader effort to reduce poverty, ensure household food security, reduce tensions over natural resources, and increase the resilience of communities at risk of the impacts of climate change.
The launch of the Jowhar Off-stream Storage Program marks a significant step forward in Somalia’s fight against climate change and its efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient future for its people.
