Somalia, 29 October 2025 — Somalia has pledged USD 5.2 million to support the Jowhar Offstream Storage Programme (JOSP).
The announcement was made during a High-Level Resource Partner Roundtable held in Mogadishu on Tuesday where senior government representatives, development partners, and UN agencies discussed progress, challenges, and funding needs for the national flagship initiative.
Confirming Somalia's contribution, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama called for additional support to close the USD 72 million funding gap out of the programme’s total USD 123 million budget
He reaffirmed the government’s financial and political commitment, describing JOSP as a “central pillar for development and food security”
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representatives described JOSP as a key component of Somalia’s efforts to strengthen water resource management, build climate resilience, and boost inclusive economic growth in the Shabelle River Basin.
In his remarks Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdi Maareeye highlighted the government’s commitment to the project, noting that “JOSP is not just about rebuilding irrigation; it is about restoring opportunity, resilience, and dignity for Somali farmers.”
UN Deputy Special Representative and Resident Coordinator for Somalia George Conway acknowledged the importance of the programme, saying JOSP “turns floodwaters from a source of risk into a foundation for resilience,” with the potential to protect 1.65 million people and enhance food security for hundreds of thousands of farmers.
The roundtable brought together JOSP’s main partners, including the United Kingdom, the Somalia Joint Fund, the UN Peacebuilding Fund, Canada, and the European Union.
