Mogadishu, Somalia – The efforts by Somalia to combat climate vulnerability are gaining global attention after a flagship resilience programme backed by the Green Climate Fund reported transformative results. The initiative, launched to counter worsening droughts, floods and land degradation, has already supported more than 2.1 million people across rural and peri-urban communities.

Through large-scale landscape restoration, the project has rehabilitated 42,900 hectares of degraded land, enabling the return of vegetation, improved soil fertility and better water retention. This has provided vital protection for grazing areas and farmland that were previously at risk of desertification. Additionally, over 120,000 Somali farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture, including water-efficient irrigation techniques, drought-resistant crops and soil conservation practices.

Officials say the impact extends beyond food security. With revived ecosystems and stronger community-led management structures, households are now better equipped to withstand climate shocks rather than rely on emergency aid. Local cooperatives formed under the project have also created new income streams, particularly for women and youth.

Somalia, one of the world’s most climate-exposed nations, has endured five consecutive failed rainy seasons followed by destructive flash floods. Authorities are now calling for expanded financing to scale the model nationwide. As donor confidence grows, Somalia’s climate resilience strategy is shifting from crisis response to long-term adaptation — proving that restoration and self-reliance can go hand in hand.