Water Resources, WASH & Community Resilience
Sector Overview
Water scarcity is one of the major challenges in Somalia. SONAFO promotes sustainablewater management, safe water access, sanitation, hygiene, and community resilience.This sector links water security with public health, drought resilience, and naturalresource protection.
Key Focus Areas
- Water Resource Management — Supporting planning and sustainable use ofwater sources such as rivers, boreholes, shallow wells, berkads, and rainwatersystems.
- Watershed Management — Protecting catchment areas, riverbanks, and waterflow systems to reduce erosion, flooding, and water loss.
- Water Infrastructure Development — Rehabilitating or constructing wells, watertanks, boreholes, water points, canals, and community water systems.
- Rainwater Harvesting — Encouraging collection and storage of rainwater fordomestic use, agriculture, livestock, and drought preparedness.
- WASH Interventions — Supporting access to safe water, sanitation facilities,hygiene materials, and clean environments to reduce disease risks.
- Community Hygiene Promotion — Conducting awareness on handwashing, safewater storage, sanitation, waste disposal, and disease prevention.
- Drought Resilience — Helping communities prepare for water shortages throughstorage, rehabilitation of water points, and drought planning.
- Integrated Water Resource Management — Connecting water use acrossagriculture, livestock, households, environment, and disaster risk reduction.
Why It Matters (Benefits)
- Reduces disease and improves public health outcomes
- Builds long-term resilience against recurring drought
- Improves access to safe water for households, agriculture, and livestock
- Strengthens fair, sustainable, community-based water governance
