One of the key principles of SWALIM Information Management policy is to make information created or held by SWALIM easily accessible to users. To do this, SWALIM has been developing a Client Service Platform (CSP) that combines different access points (one Nairobi-based Resource Centre and three Somalia Liaison Offices) and access platforms (SWALIM website, information CDs, reference library, AGRIS catalogue and customized databases).

For clients with internet access, the website provides a very efficient means of two-way access to water and land information. Through the website, users can run queries for their specific needs and download the available information. New information is given visibility and the most requested information is highlighted. Additionally, the website allows SWALIM partners to upload data that they need SWALIM to integrate into datasets. Clients can also contact SWALIM through a dedicated email-based enquiries desk. The website is maintained frequently.

For clients with limited internet connectivity, SWALIM information CDs provide most of the information available?on the website. SWALIM has already released two such CDs, and more are scheduled.? Previous versions will be available, and where necessary, updated when more information is available.

Reference libraries with key reference materials are being developed both at the SWALIM Resource Centre in Nairobi and Liaison Offices in Somalia. Among other items are reports of pre-war studies and other key reference materials such as maps and FAO water and land publications.

To help clients easily locate information products that meet their needs, SWALIM is cataloguing all its information products using FAO?s AGRIS software. Access to the catalogue is provided through the SWALIM website, and on dedicated terminals at the Resource Centre and Liaison Offices. The catalogue provides access to digitized information for download.? Those without access to the internet or dedicated terminals can request a CD version of the catalogue, or send a specific query request to SWALIM and receive the results by return email.

SWALIM is developing a number of customized databases and data processing tools for a number of specific datasets. These include a water sources database, an irrigation database, a land resources database and a climate and river flow database.These shall be available through predefined queries.