Mogadishu, Somalia – The European Union mission in Somalia, led by Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro, spearheaded a clean-up campaign in Mogadishu on Sunday, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to confront Somalia’s deepening environmental and climate crisis.

Somalia is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Prolonged droughts, flash floods, and rising temperatures have devastated livelihoods, displaced millions, and left cities like Mogadishu struggling with unmanaged waste and pollution. The EU delegation’s initiative, which brought together staff from European institutions and partner organizations, was a symbolic yet practical step to raise awareness of the role clean urban environments play in building resilience.

Ambassador Di Mauro noted that sustainable waste management is not only a matter of public health but also central to climate adaptation. Poor waste disposal exacerbates flooding during heavy rains, spreads disease, and undermines already fragile urban infrastructure.

The EU has been a key supporter of Somalia’s climate adaptation strategies, backing renewable energy projects, reforestation, and disaster preparedness programs. Sunday’s clean-up underscored the EU’s commitment to aligning grassroots action with broader policy support.

Local residents welcomed the campaign, stressing that visible participation from international partners inspires communities to take ownership of environmental protection.

While one clean-up cannot solve Mogadishu’s challenges, it sent a clear message: fighting climate change in Somalia starts with collective responsibility, from city streets to global climate forums.