By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 22 November 2025 — The Puntland State of Somalia on Friday launched the construction of a new water dam in Higlo village, Karkaar region to strengthen access to sustainable water and improve rural resilience.
The initiative, part of the World Bank-funded BARWAAQO project, aims to reduce the impact of recurrent droughts affecting pastoral and rural communities by enhancing water storage infrastructure and improving basic services.
The foundation-laying ceremony in Higlo was attended by Qardho district officials, representatives of the Puntland Water Development Agency and community elders.
Deputy Mayor of Qardho, Mohamed Abdullahi Said, said the project forms part of broader efforts to expand water services across Puntland.
“We are pleased to see this project launched in areas under Qardho district. For a long time, we have worked to ensure the community gains access to sufficient water, and this project is part of Puntland’s wider water development strategy,” he said.
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Officials noted that the project comes at a critical time when communities are facing severe water shortages, adding that it would play an important role in improving basic services and enhancing long-term resilience in rural areas.
Once completed, the Higlo water dam is expected to provide a reliable source of water, particularly during the dry seasons.
The BARWAAQO Project, formally approved by the World Bank on 9 December 2022, is funded through a US$70 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA). It became operational on 20 January 2023 and is scheduled to run until February 2028. The project is jointly implemented by the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States and Somaliland, reflecting its nationwide scope.
Similar projects under BARWAAQO have previously been implemented in other regions, including the construction of boreholes, water dams and community water systems, helping improve access to clean water and support agricultural productivity.
