Somalia Tackles Climate and Conflict Challenges with Renewable Energy and Local Resilience
Somalia, despite being one of the poorest nations globally and enduring decades of conflict, still holds the potential for recovery, according to the country’s top climate official. After over 30 years of continuous violence—including an Islamist insurgency, civil war, and a series of regional and clan confrontations—Somalia remains, in the words of Abdihakim Ainte, the Prime Minister’s climate advisor, “a story of potential and promise.”This optimism persists even as climate change exacerbates nearly all of the challenges the country faces.
In 2022, Somalia experienced its worst drought in 40 years, a crisis that scientists believe was made 100 times more likely by human-induced climate change.The scale of the challenge was visible while traveling through the dry scrub that covers much of the country, accompanied by armed security. Somalia remains one of the few places in the world where organizations like the International Red Cross (ICRC) must provide armed protection for their staff.Nomadic camel herders and small-scale farmers are at the forefront of the climate crisis. For centuries, these communities have survived by moving their herds from one pasture to the next in search of scarce grazing lands.
However, the effects of climate change have severely disrupted the rainfall patterns that once sustained this way of life.A local farmer shared the hardships experienced during the recent drought, having lost all of his camels as grazing lands dried up and his small farm’s crops failed to provide enough fodder. He recounted how water wells dried up, leading to the death of his animals and a sharp decline in his quality of life. He added that disputes over water and pasture became common, with many forced to defend their land, and the lack of security has led to fear and violence in some areas.
Nearly four million Somalis—around one-fifth of the population—have been displaced, living in makeshift refugee camps. These camps are often built from any materials residents can find, including scraps of fabric, plastic sheets, and rusted corrugated iron. In some cases, tin cans are flattened to form walls. Despite their dire circumstances, many refugees must pay for basic necessities such as food, water, and even rent for the land on which they build their fragile shelters.Somalia has struggled to attract international aid, with its problems often overshadowed by other global conflicts in places like Ukraine and Gaza.
The United Nations estimates that Somalia needs at least $1.6 billion to meet the most basic humanitarian needs this year. However, donor governments have only pledged $600 million so far.Despite the limited aid, some Somali communities are making significant strides. For instance, the power station in Garowe has begun investing in wind and solar energy. The CEO of the National Energy Corporation of Somalia (NECSOM) explained that this decision was made independently, without foreign grants or aid. Renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, are proving more cost-effective than the diesel generators previously used, showing how local efforts can contribute to the country’s long-term resilience.
