By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 11 May 2026 Ethiopia’s Somali region launched construction of a 407 million birr ($2.6 million) water project in Qabridahare to improve access to clean water.
Speaking during the launch ceremony on Sunday, the region's water bureau head Engineer Ahmed Miraad Layli said the project would be completed within eight months.
Officials said the project was part of broader efforts by the administration to improve water coverage across urban and rural areas.
Planning Bureau Minister, Omar Faruuq Haji Warfaa, said urban water coverage in the region had increased from 20% to 57% during recent years, while rural water coverage rose from 28% to 49%.
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He added that regional water access had expanded from 19% to 52% following increased investment in water infrastructure projects, the officials added.
Engineer Layli said the government had expanded investment in water infrastructure to address recurring droughts, water shortages and population growth in the region.
Community elders and local residents in Goglo/Kudunbuur district thanked the regional government for supporting development initiatives.