Somalia is Innovating to Provide Communities with Clean, Safe Water Despite Climate Change Effects – World Bank Group

Rehabilitation of Holhol Dam: A Case Study in Water Security and Sustainable Development

Project Overview and Community Context

In the Awdal region of Somaliland, the village of Holhol, home to approximately 1,000 households, faces significant water scarcity challenges due to its semi-arid climate. The community’s livelihoods, primarily based on pastoralism and subsistence farming, are critically dependent on the Holhol Dam. Historically, water insecurity has led to substantial livestock losses and placed a considerable burden on residents, who often traveled long distances to access water. The dam, originally built in the 1970s, serves as a vital resource for Holhol and surrounding communities, especially during the dry Hagaa season.

In response to increasing climate volatility, including severe droughts and floods, the Holhol Dam was rehabilitated in 2024 under the Somalia Water for Rural Resilience Project (Barwaaqo). This initiative, supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Somaliland Ministry of Water Resources Development, aims to enhance drought preparedness and climate resilience for 600,000 people in rural areas.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Holhol Dam rehabilitation project directly contributes to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, integrating environmental sustainability with social and economic development.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The project’s primary objective is to advance SDG 6 by providing the community with reliable and improved access to water. By restoring the dam’s capacity and installing modern infrastructure, the initiative ensures a sustainable water source for both human consumption and livestock, directly addressing the target of universal access to safe water.

SDG 1 & SDG 2: No Poverty and Zero Hunger

Water availability is intrinsically linked to economic stability and food security in Holhol. The project supports SDG 1 and SDG 2 by:

• Preventing the loss of livestock, which is a primary source of income and sustenance for pastoralist families.
• Enabling the cultivation of essential crops like maize and sorghum, thereby strengthening local food systems.
• Reducing the economic shocks associated with drought and ensuring livelihood resilience.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The rehabilitation has a significant impact on gender equality. Previously, women and girls bore the primary responsibility for water collection, a time-consuming and arduous task. By bringing water access closer to the community, the project has reduced collection time from hours to approximately 30 minutes. This advancement empowers women by freeing up their time for education, agricultural activities, and other economic opportunities, contributing directly to SDG 5.

SDG 13 & SDG 11: Climate Action and Sustainable Communities

The project is a direct climate adaptation measure, enhancing the community’s resilience to the impacts of climate change as outlined in SDG 13. By securing a stable water supply, it mitigates the effects of erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts. This strengthens the sustainability and resilience of the rural settlement, aligning with the objectives of SDG 11 to create safe and resilient human communities.

Project Implementation and Technical Enhancements

Community-Centric Approach and Partnerships (SDG 17)

The project’s success is rooted in a participatory approach that reflects the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Extensive consultations were conducted with community elders, women, and youth to ensure the rehabilitation efforts aligned with local needs and priorities. This collaborative framework between the World Bank, the Somaliland government, and the local community was essential for effective implementation and long-term sustainability.

Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Modernization

Over time, sedimentation had reduced the dam’s effective depth by half, severely limiting its water storage capacity. The rehabilitation project restored its original design and introduced significant technological upgrades. Key improvements included:

1. Desilting: The main reservoir was desilted to restore its original storage capacity.
2. Modern Pumping Systems: Solar-powered pumping and piping systems were installed for efficient and sustainable water distribution.
3. Storage and Access: A new 20-cubic meter masonry tank and a public water kiosk were constructed to improve access.
4. Livestock Management: Dedicated water troughs for camels and goats were built to manage livestock and prevent contamination of the main water source.
5. Security: A perimeter fence was erected to protect the dam infrastructure.

Data-Driven Management and Future Outlook

Digital Monitoring for Enhanced Water Security

To ensure effective management, the project incorporates a digital monitoring system. Real-time data on water levels and usage is transmitted to a central dashboard at the Ministry of Water Resources Development in Hargeisa. This data-driven approach allows for informed decision-making and proactive resource management. The upgraded dam now has a storage capacity of 70,000 cubic meters, sufficient to meet approximately 70% of the village’s water demand during the dry season. The selection of Holhol for rehabilitation was based on a comprehensive analysis of hydrological data, community needs, and climate risk assessments.

Conclusion

The rehabilitation of the Holhol Dam serves as a model for integrating infrastructure development, community participation, and modern technology to address climate change and advance sustainable development. By securing a reliable water source, the project not only enhances the immediate quality of life for the residents of Holhol but also builds a foundation for long-term economic, social, and environmental resilience, demonstrating a tangible commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The entire article focuses on the rehabilitation of the Holhol Dam to provide a reliable water source for the community. It directly addresses the challenge of water scarcity, which is central to SDG 6. The project aims to provide “600,000 people with access to improved water sources.”

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article links water access directly to economic survival and poverty reduction. The community’s livelihood depends on farming and herding, which are devastated by droughts. By securing a water source, the project helps prevent the loss of livestock and crops, thereby protecting the primary source of income and preventing households from falling into poverty. The article notes that in the past, villagers “lost half our herd” due to water scarcity.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The project is explicitly framed as a response to climate change. The article mentions that “Climate change triggered severe droughts and floods” and that the project’s goal is to “enhance drought preparedness and climate resilience in rural areas” in the face of an “increasingly erratic climate.”

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article specifically highlights the disproportionate burden of water scarcity on women. It details how the project reduces the time women spend fetching water from “two hours” to “30 minutes,” freeing up their time for “farming, for our children, even for rest.” This directly contributes to empowering women and recognizing their unpaid labor.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• While not a city, the project focuses on making the rural village of Holhol and its surrounding communities more resilient and sustainable. By providing a critical resource like water, it prevents displacement (“we don’t have to leave our homes”) and strengthens the community’s ability to survive and thrive in a challenging environment.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

1. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The project’s stated goal is to “provide 600,000 people with access to improved water sources,” directly aligning with this target.
2. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The rehabilitation restored the dam’s capacity to 70,000 cubic meters and installed solar-powered pumps, which are measures to manage and use water resources more efficiently and sustainably.
3. Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The article emphasizes that the project was “anchored in community dialogue” and that “consultations were held with elders, youth, women, and local leaders to ensure the dam met local priorities and needs.”

SDG 1: No Poverty

1. Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events. The project directly builds resilience against drought, a climate-related extreme event that previously caused the loss of livestock and crops, pushing households deeper into poverty.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure… The dam is a piece of public infrastructure that significantly reduces the time and labor women spend on the domestic chore of fetching water, a clear example of addressing this target.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The project is a direct climate adaptation measure, designed to “enhance drought preparedness and climate resilience” for a community vulnerable to an “increasingly erratic climate.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

• Water Storage Capacity: The dam’s capacity was restored and increased to hold “up to 70,000 cubic meters of water.”
• Population Served: The project aims to provide “600,000 people with access to improved water sources.”
• Proportion of Demand Met: The dam now meets “about 70% of the village’s water demand during the dry season.”
• Time to Collect Water: A direct, measurable reduction in the time spent fetching water is cited, from “two hours” down to “30 minutes.”

Indicators for SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 13 (Climate Action)

• Livestock Survival Rate: The article implies a reduction in livestock mortality. A resident states, “Some years, we lost half our herd. But now, with the dam full, we don’t have to leave our homes,” suggesting improved herd survival.
• Community Resilience to Drought: The dam is described as “the only source that keeps life going” during the dry season, indicating its critical role in the community’s ability to withstand climate shocks.

Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

• Time Saved by Women: The reduction in water collection time from 2 hours to 30 minutes is a quantifiable indicator of the reduced burden of unpaid domestic work.
• Time Reallocated to Other Activities: The article provides a qualitative indicator that women now have more “time for farming, for our children, even for rest.”

4. Summary Table

Source: worldbank.org