FAO SWALIM: Somalia Water and Land Information ManagementFAO SWALIM: Somalia Water and Land Information Management

Hydrogeological Survey of Somalia

Despite groundwater being the main source of water for humans, agriculture and livestock, there is neither a hydrogeological map nor a sound policy for groundwater management and exploration in Somalia. SWALIM undertook a quantitative and updated assessment of the groundwater resources of Somaliland and Puntland and the set-up of a system for groundwater level monitoring.

Supporting sustainable water resource management

The development of new groundwater sources in Somalia is fraught with challenges. SWALIM has been working closely with the Somali Government Water Authorities and the United Nations WASH Cluster (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in developing systems for monitoring water sources in Somalia.

Sustainable water use

Water is Life! SWALIM project has developed systems for monitoring surface and groundwater in Somalia to support planning, development and sustainable exploitation of the scarce and valuable water resources in the country.

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Capacity development

SWALIM’s capacity development activities address all three dimensions of the capacity development paradigm, i.e. individuals, organizations and the enabling environment. SWALIM seeks to strengthen these three dimensions together in order to put in place a viable capability for sustainable water and land resource management within Somali institutions.

Land Resources of Somalia

Land resources in Somalia are varied and diverse. Up-to-date Information about these resources ensures informed decisions on their management and utilization, subsequently guaranteeing they will remain for the welfare of future generations.

Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing is a powerful tool wthat can enable detailed land analysis on a large scale and be used for environmental monitoring at regional and/or country level. Information extracted from satellite images are essential for informed land planning, consistent natural resources assessment, disaster early warning and management, and other tasks.

Information for action

Accurate uptodate and highquality information is essential for the sustainable management of water and land resources swalim the somali water and land information management project has made huge strides in increasing the quantity and quality of available baseline data and information on land and water in somalia

Humanitarian Response Plan 2018

Despite the challenging operating environment, local and international humanitarian partners are reaching more than three million people per month, and are committed to build on achievements from 2017 and continue highly targeted famine prevention efforts in 2018. The 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), developed by the Somalia Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in close consultations with Federal and State authorities, extends famine prevention efforts into 2018.

We cannot wait for famine to be declared; we must act now

Interview with Rein Paulsen, Director of the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience - 05-08-2022

Rome – More than 900 000 people in Somalia, mostly living in rural areas, have moved to internally displaced persons camps since January 2021 due to the drought and lack of livelihood support.

Somalia water sources livemap (SWIMS)

Somalia climate data series and Ground water

Flood Risk and Response Information Management

SWALIM Drought Monitoring Tool

Somalia Floods dashboard

Somalia spatial data portal

Somalia national river flow archive

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Swalim News and Events

FAO-SWALIM Work in Puntland

Since 2006 Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) has been operating in Puntland. Informative data has been collected on land, water and climate. The information is organized in themes: Water resources (Climate, floods, water resources and water reports); Land resources (Land degradation, Land suitability, soils and land reports). This information is generated with the support of a strong Information management, GIS and remote sensing units in collaboration with Puntland government partner institutions. SWALIM information management team has organized the data to facilitate quick retrieval through a variety of online and offline platforms. Download publication (pdf, 3.5 MB)

The Puntland water and land resources – Information Management Center

The Information Management Center (IMC) will be a special agency under the Puntland State of Somalia whose main function shall be to collect, process and analyze water and land resources information in coordination with the relevant government institutions, in support of policy development for sustainable and integrated water and land resources management, and to provide water and land related data and information to the end users. Download pdf(2.5 MB)

FAO-SWALIM Recognised for Partnership with Banadir University

FAO SWALIM has been working together with academic institutions in order to foster long-term research relationships on specific projects of interest and to generate knowledge for the betterment of the lives of Somali communities.

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Journal Publications

Validation of the CHIRPS satellite rainfall estimates over eastern Africa

Long and temporally consistent rainfall time series are essential in climate analyses and applications.

Uncovering the challenges of domestic energy access in the context of weather and climate extremes in Somalia

In Somalia, challenges related to energy access is influenced by both weather and climate extremes and associated conflict.

Towards a spatial Data Infrastructure for Somalia using open source standards

SDI is a well-known concept in Africa, many countries are on the way to having a formal SDI strategy Certain countries, such as Somalia, are starting the process of nation building after years of war.

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In focus

Sustained “no regrets” humanitarian efforts urgently needed in response to drought in the Horn of Africa

Catastrophic consequences of the multi-year drought will continue in 2023, leaving communities in urgent need of assistance. Seasonal forecasts suggest a reasonable chance that the upcoming March–May rains will again underperform which, should it occur, would be an unprecedented sixth poor season. Communities will need years to recover from this historically severe drought.

Climate-smart water harvesting and storage systems help rural communities overcome climate shocks

FAO and the European Union partner with government and communities to strengthen water resource management for improved food security in Puntland and Somaliland

EU and FAO handover a new Water and Land Information Management Centre to Government of Somalia in Puntland

This Centre will support the Government in management of land and water resources, and ultimately the people of Somalia as we are all the stewards of these assets for now and for the future

Improving flood response in Somalia through remote sensing

Satellite imagery reports riverbank breakages in real timeSomalia, like many countries, is affected by frequent climate-related hazards such as floods, droughts and tropical storms.

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SWALIM Publications

Somalia Rainfall Forecast – Issued 24 May 2023

Moderate to heavy rainfall expected over isolated parts of northern Somalia with light rains over central and dry conditions over southwestern parts of the country during the forecast period (Map 1).

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Shabelle River Flood Update Issued 22 May 2023

For close to two weeks, Belet Weyne town and its surrounding areas have witnessed widespread and devastating floods occasioned by the Shabelle River bursting its banks on the 9th May 2023. The river has remained at a bankful height of 8.30 meters up to the current date of May 22nd.

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Somalia Rainfall Forecast – Issued 16 May 2023

Light rainfall is expected over most parts of Somalia with moderate rains over isolated areas in northeastern and dry conditions over southwestern parts of the country during the forecast period (Map 1).

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Shabelle River Flood Update Issued 15 May 2023

Since bursting its banks on May 9th, 2023, the Shabelle River’s water level at Belet Weyne (figure 1) has remained at a bankful height of 8.30 meters up to the current date of May 15th.

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Donors

SWALIM is a multi-donor project managed by FAO and currently funded by The European Union, The Italian Cooperation, DFID, USAID and Government of France