Somalia: African Development Bank Group, WFP and UNOPS partner to build resilience for drought-affected Somalis

The three-year initiative entitled “Activating Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia” or ACALS, is financed by the African Development Fund (ADF), the Bank Group’s concessional window, and implemented by WFP and UNOPS. It will support 180,000 people – or 30,000 families – in the drought-affected States of Hirshabelle and Puntland.

“Somalia’s livestock and agricultural sectors require targeted interventions like ACALS to build resilience to climate change and improve their ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions,” said Hassan Hussein Mohamed, Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range in the Federal Government of Somalia.

ACALS will support farmers, especially women and youth, through land and water management initiatives such as irrigation rehabilitation, improved productivity and market access through climate-resilient crops and business support. It also includes stronger disaster preparedness through early warning systems, community response training, and ecosystem-based climate adaptation.

“This initiative is a practical response to the challenges facing the country. It sits within the Bank’s broader engagement with Somalia,” said Pascal Sanginga, the East Africa Regional Manager for Agriculture and Agro-Industry at the Bank Group. “As of May 2026, the Bank’s active portfolio comprises 24 operations, and agriculture represents about 12.2% signaling a shift from short-term emergency support toward longer-term investments in food security and climate resilience,” he said.

One in three Somalis, or an estimated six million people, faces crisis-level hunger or worse (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Level 3+). Nearly two million face emergency hunger (IPC4), as drought, insecurity, falling humanitarian funding, and the ripple effects of the conflict in the Middle East deepen the crisis.

“Somalis continue to face climate shocks, conflict and fragile livelihoods, particularly in rural and agropastoral communities,” said Marco Selva, WFP’s Deputy Country Director in Somalia. “ACALS will help families build resilience for long-term food security while supporting broader development efforts.”

This is the first joint project between WFP and UNOPS in Somalia, marking a forward-looking partnership and a strong example of collaboration by UN agencies. 

“From UNOPS’ perspective, this initiative is not only about delivering infrastructure, but about building foundations of resilience,” said Ala´a Nemer, UNOPS Country Director in Somalia. “This means ensuring that the infrastructure assets delivered under the project are climate-resilient, designed to withstand future shocks, and supported by strong community governance structures.”

ACALS contributes directly to Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (2025-2029) by strengthening institutional capacity at federal and state levels, and bringing together government institutions, development partners, financial institutions and communities.