The Federal Government of Somalia, the African Development Bank Group, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and World Food Programme have launched an $11.8 million initiative to enhance agricultural and pastoral systems in Somalia through climate resilience, sustainable land and water management, increased productivity, improved market access, and enhanced disaster preparedness.
The three-year program, named “Activating Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia” (ACALS), is funded by the African Development Fund and implemented by WFP and UNOPS. It will benefit 180,000 individuals across 30,000 families in the drought-affected regions of Hirshabelle and Puntland.
“Somalia’s livestock and agricultural sectors need targeted measures such as ACALS to develop resilience against climate change and enhance their capacity to adapt to shifting environmental conditions,” stated Hassan Hussein Mohamed, Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range in the Federal Government of Somalia.
ACALS will assist farmers, particularly women and young people, through land and water management projects including irrigation rehabilitation, enhanced productivity and market access via climate-resilient crops and business support. The initiative also incorporates improved disaster preparedness through early warning systems, community response training, and ecosystem-based climate adaptation strategies.
“This initiative provides a practical solution to the country’s challenges. It aligns with the Bank’s wider engagement in Somalia,” explained 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 includes 24 operations, with agriculture comprising approximately 12.2%, indicating a transition from short-term emergency assistance to longer-term investments in food security and climate resilience,” he noted.
One-third of Somalis, approximately six million people, are experiencing crisis-level hunger or worse (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Level 3+). Nearly two million are facing emergency hunger levels (IPC4), as drought, insecurity, reduced humanitarian funding, and the repercussions of Middle East conflict intensify the crisis.
“Somalis continue to confront climate shocks, conflict, and vulnerable livelihoods, especially in rural and agropastoral areas,” stated Marco Selva, WFP’s Deputy Country Director in Somalia. “ACALS will enable families to develop resilience for sustained food security while advancing broader development objectives.”
This represents the first joint project between WFP and UNOPS in Somalia, establishing a progressive partnership and demonstrating effective collaboration among UN agencies.
“From UNOPS’ viewpoint, this initiative focuses not only on delivering infrastructure but on establishing resilience foundations,” stated Ala’a Nemer, UNOPS Country Director in Somalia. “This involves ensuring that the infrastructure assets provided are climate-resilient, engineered to endure future challenges, and reinforced by robust community governance frameworks.”
ACALS directly supports Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (2025-2029) by enhancing institutional capacity at federal and state levels, and uniting government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, and communities.