Abudwak Solar-Powered Boreholes for Drought-Affected Communities

The Solar-Powered Boreholes for Drought-Affected Communities project is a climate-adaptation initiative designed to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water in rural and drought-prone areas of Somalia. The project responds directly to persistent water scarcity driven by prolonged droughts, climate variability, and limited water infrastructure, conditions that have left many communities dependent on expensive and often unsafe water sources.¹

The project’s vision is to “ensure reliable, inclusive, and long-term access to clean water for vulnerable communities” by establishing climate-resilient water systems powered by renewable energy. Its main aims are to reduce the cost and physical burden of water collection, improve public health outcomes, strengthen local management of water resources, and build resilience to recurring droughts and climate shocks. The initiative also seeks to empower community members, including women-headed households, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons, through participatory planning and locally governed water services.²

To implement its vision and achieve the objectives, the project combines energy technology with community-based governance mechanisms. Key components include:^{3 4}

• Solar-Powered Borehole Construction: Drilling and equipping 10 solar-powered boreholes across drought-affected districts, including Abudwak, Kismayo, Buuhoodle, Salahley, Galkacayo, and Elberde, to deliver reliable year-round water supply.
• Water Supply Infrastructure: Installation of elevated tanks, distribution points, and communal water points to ensure continuous and accessible service.
• Community-Led Water Governance: Establishment of Water Resources User Associations (WUAs) responsible for operation, maintenance, and local management of the systems.
• Participatory Planning: Consultations with elders, women, and youth to identify priority sites, select appropriate technologies, and ensure solutions reflect local needs and contexts.

By using solar energy to power water pumps, the project reduces dependence on diesel generators and promotes cleaner, climate-smart water services. It is expected to provide direct access to safe drinking water for approximately 120,000 people, while generating broader indirect benefits for more than 3 million residents through improved water management practices, better health outcomes, and reduced household expenditures. The project’s design strengthens climate resilience by decreasing vulnerability to drought and ensuring that water systems remain functional even during prolonged dry periods.⁵

The initiative is funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), a Saudi Arabian government development finance institution, which provided US$2 million for construction and community capacity-building. Implementation is led by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and local district authorities. At the community level, WUAs play a central role in managing infrastructure, overseeing operations, and ensuring long-term sustainability through local accountability.⁶