In order to guide rehabilitation and development activities in Somalia today, there is need to establish thematic and geographic priorities for addressing sustainable natural resource management and conservation of the Somali natural heritage. This report aims to:br •Identify and describe Somaliaandrsquos terrestrial and marine ecosystems, biodiversity and natural resource characteristics.br •Identify and describe the linkages between Somaliaandrsquos terrestrial and marine natural resources and dependent production systems and problems and opportunities that exist towards sustainable use.br •Present and apply criteria for setting thematic and geographical priorities through which strategic principles can be applied to guide sustainable management of renewable natural resources.br

This report was prepared to serve as a reference for managers, planners and engineers of the Ethio-Italian Cooperation, Arsi Bale Rural Development Project who seek general information on the climate hydrology and water resources of the Arsi and Bale zones

(Extract from Introduction)BRThis report elaborates the design of a local level natural resources monitoring and evaluation (MandE) system that assesses the status of the natural resources and the impact of development interventions on the status of the natural resources and the socio-economic systems of Somalia Using both conventional and participatory approaches, methods and tools. It incorporates the following: br• Ways to involve stakeholders in the Mand E process: br• A process for identifying indicative issues to be monitored in the various production systemsbr• A process for identifying indicators of change at local level in both the biophysical and socio-economic systemsbr• Appropriate participatory approaches, took, and methods for measuring changes in the selected indicatorsbr• A data storage and analysis system that harmonises the quantitative conventional monitoring data and the qualitative participatory monitoring data: br• A mechanism through which results of the MandE feed back into and strengthen the policy formulation, planning and management processes: br• Explores the linkages with macro level MandE system br• Requirements for implementation (personnel, training) are identified. The following questions guided formulation of the system: br• What is to be monitored: why/what is the monitoring intended to achievefor whom: what approach will be used? The system is designed to monitor impact of projects on both the natural resources and people, and to meet the needs and requirements of various stakeholders involved in the Rehabilitation Projects. These include donors, project staff and local communities. The proposed system builds on monitoring and evaluation methods and tools formulated and tested by IUCN and International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The principals of participatory planning designed by Andrew Inglis (IUCN, 1997) and the FAOandrsquos Community Forestry Manual 2 (FAO, 1993).

Following the 1995 study and the rehabilitation of the Qandala system in July 1997, SAWA submitted a proposal for a andldquoRehabilitation Programme for Water Supply Systems in small towns and urban centres in the Ban Region of Somaliaandrdquoto the European Commission/Somalia Unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (OGIS) - The Netherlands. This proposal was approved by both organisations together in November 1997. The Programmeandrsquos overall objective is the rehabilitation of the water supply system in 20 villages and small towns of Bari Region, during a period of almost two years, starting with first five and then ten villages proposed by the Regional Authority and Elders. From October 28 - November 8 SAWA and SPDS held several discussions with the Bari Regional Authority and several Village Water Committees about the institutional setup of the Programme. A Preparation Mission to Somalia, consisting of three persons took place in the period between November 23 and December l4th 1997.