Water/basic sanitation and sustainable land management in Somaliland

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The FC project includes water and sanitation measures in Hargeisa and sustainable land management in the catchment area of Hargeisa's water supply. The project is the first to introduce a structural, donor-harmonized approach to sustainable and socially acceptable water supply and sustainable land management. Somaliland declared independence in 1991, but is still not internationally recognized. Political instability prevented urgently needed investments for years. Due to the large population growth and the ongoing influx of refugees, current access rates to adequate water supply in Hargeisa are extremely low. Population growth is also increasing the pressure on fertile soils in the Biji and Waheen water catchment areas. The well field that is central to Hargeisa's water supply is located in the Biji water catchment area. The progressive soil degradation caused by inappropriate land use methods is endangering the livelihoods of the people living there. The aim of the FC measure is to improve the drinking water and basic sanitation of the predominantly poor population in the underserved districts of Hargeisa in a sustainable, socially and environmentally acceptable manner and to curb the progressive soil erosion and degradation in the Biji water catchment area in order to contribute to stabilizing the water balance and, as a result, to stabilizing agricultural and livestock productivity and food security (FC module objective). The target group of this FC project is the poor population of Hargeisa and refugees living in Hargeisa who will benefit from improved water supply. In addition to urgently needed infrastructure measures, the project achieves structural effects through measures to strengthen the sponsorship and a water tariff reform agreed with the partners to ensure the poor population's sustainable access to adequate water supply. In addition, the project ensures the entry into the previously non-existent, formalized sanitation in Hargeisa. The project benefits agropastoralists and pastoralists living in the Upper Biji and Waheen watersheds, whose livelihoods are sustainably secured through soil and erosion protection, and thus contributes to food security in one of the world's most drought-affected regions. The total cost of the project is estimated at EUR 33.05 million. The Somaliland government is making a contribution of EUR 1.5 million in kind. The remaining EUR 31.55 million will be covered by the old FC commitment of EUR 23.55 million and the commitment to the Drought Resilience Fund of EUR 8 million. The old FC commitment will be used to improve drinking water and sanitation supplies, while the commitment from the Drought Resilience Fund will be used for sustainable land management measures.