Jigjiga (Dawan Africa) – The Somali Regional State (SRS) in Ethiopia has officially launched a $17 million water infrastructure project aimed at expanding access to clean and reliable groundwater across drought-affected areas of the region.
According to state-run media, the project involves drilling 20 deep boreholes and constructing the necessary water supply systems. The initiative is being financed by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the regional Water Bureau.
The launch ceremony, held today at the Presidential Office in Jigjiga, presided over by Regional President Mustafe Muhummed Omar, and attended by representatives from CIFF, UNDP, and other stakeholders.
The project forms part of IGAD’s Groundwater Access Facility for Africa (GAFA) – a regional initiative focused on enhancing water resilience in the Horn of Africa, particularly in communities vulnerable to recurring drought.
State media reports indicate that the initiative aims to improve the living conditions of pastoralist communities and other populations in areas facing critical water shortages. The agreement was officially signed at the launch event, signaling a deepening partnership between the Somali Region and international development actors.
The new project is seen as a strategic response to climate-induced water insecurity and reflects the region’s broader efforts to invest in long-term, community-driven infrastructure solutions.
