Qaradhi, Galmudug State – In the sun-scorched plains of Qaradhi, a small town in Cadaado District, Galmudug State, the sound of drilling machines now mingles with the laughter of hopeful residents. For years, the community has struggled with dwindling water sources, but a new initiative — the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project (Abaartire) — is breathing life back into the earth.

Launched under the joint leadership of the Federal and State Ministries of Energy and Water Resources, with crucial support from the World Bank, the project has begun rehabilitating a key borehole in Qaradhi, one of several across Somalia slated for restoration. The initiative represents more than just an infrastructure upgrade — it’s a vital step toward climate resilience in one of the world’s most water-stressed nations.

At the launch ceremony, the Galmudug Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Ahmed Nur Haji Isman, joined local elders, engineers, and community members to mark the beginning of the works.

Somalia, facing increasingly erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, depends heavily on groundwater to sustain its people and livestock. Yet, over the years, many boreholes have fallen into disrepair, leaving thousands of rural families to trek long distances in search of water. The Abaartire Project, which aptly translates to “Resilience to Drought” in Somali, aims to change that by rehabilitating old boreholes and drilling new ones across all Federal Member States.

By strengthening access to clean and reliable water, the project not only addresses immediate humanitarian needs but also builds long-term resilience against climate shocks. Experts say it could help reduce conflicts over water resources, improve health outcomes, and support agriculture and pastoral livelihoods — sectors that form the backbone of Somalia’s economy.

For Qaradhi’s residents, the project’s arrival is already reshaping expectations. Mothers no longer have to wake before dawn to fetch water from distant wells, and livestock herders are beginning to return to previously abandoned grazing areas.

As Somalia continues to battle the harsh realities of climate change, the Abaartire Project stands as a testament to how partnerships between government institutions, international partners, and local communities can bring lasting change — one borehole at a time. In the heart of Galmudug, hope now flows from the ground once again.