FAO SWALIM: Somalia Water and Land Information ManagementFAO SWALIM: Somalia Water and Land Information Management

Hydrogeological Survey of Somalia

Despite groundwater being the main source of water for humans, agriculture and livestock, there is neither a hydrogeological map nor a sound policy for groundwater management and exploration in Somalia. SWALIM undertook a quantitative and updated assessment of the groundwater resources of Somaliland and Puntland and the set-up of a system for groundwater level monitoring.

Supporting sustainable water resource management

The development of new groundwater sources in Somalia is fraught with challenges. SWALIM has been working closely with the Somali Government Water Authorities and the United Nations WASH Cluster (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in developing systems for monitoring water sources in Somalia.

Sustainable water use

Water is Life! SWALIM project has developed systems for monitoring surface and groundwater in Somalia to support planning, development and sustainable exploitation of the scarce and valuable water resources in the country.

Capacity development

SWALIM’s capacity development activities address all three dimensions of the capacity development paradigm, i.e. individuals, organizations and the enabling environment. SWALIM seeks to strengthen these three dimensions together in order to put in place a viable capability for sustainable water and land resource management within Somali institutions.

Land Resources of Somalia

Land resources in Somalia are varied and diverse. Up-to-date Information about these resources ensures informed decisions on their management and utilization, subsequently guaranteeing they will remain for the welfare of future generations.

Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing is a powerful tool wthat can enable detailed land analysis on a large scale and be used for environmental monitoring at regional and/or country level. Information extracted from satellite images are essential for informed land planning, consistent natural resources assessment, disaster early warning and management, and other tasks.

Information for action

Accurate uptodate and highquality information is essential for the sustainable management of water and land resources swalim the somali water and land information management project has made huge strides in increasing the quantity and quality of available baseline data and information on land and water in somalia

Humanitarian Response Plan 2018

Despite the challenging operating environment, local and international humanitarian partners are reaching more than three million people per month, and are committed to build on achievements from 2017 and continue highly targeted famine prevention efforts in 2018. The 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), developed by the Somalia Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in close consultations with Federal and State authorities, extends famine prevention efforts into 2018.

We cannot wait for famine to be declared; we must act now

Interview with Rein Paulsen, Director of the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience - 05-08-2022

Rome – More than 900 000 people in Somalia, mostly living in rural areas, have moved to internally displaced persons camps since January 2021 due to the drought and lack of livelihood support.

Somalia water sources livemap (SWIMS)

Somalia climate data series and Ground water

Flood Risk and Response Information Management

SWALIM Drought Monitoring Tool

Somalia Floods dashboard

Somalia spatial data portal

Somalia national river flow archive

PROSCAL Charcoal Sites

Swalim News and Events

Somalia Ground Water Monitoring Webinar

FAO SWALIM in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources will be hosting a webinar to discuss the ongoing Groundwater monitoring in Somalia. This critical information will be instrumental in planning for the forecast LaNina and related humanitarian interventions.

FAO-SWALIM Work in Puntland

Since 2006 Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) has been operating in Puntland. Informative data has been collected on land, water and climate. The information is organized in themes: Water resources (Climate, floods, water resources and water reports); Land resources (Land degradation, Land suitability, soils and land reports). This information is generated with the support of a strong Information management, GIS and remote sensing units in collaboration with Puntland government partner institutions. SWALIM information management team has organized the data to facilitate quick retrieval through a variety of online and offline platforms. Download publication (pdf, 3.5 MB)

The Puntland water and land resources – Information Management Center

The Information Management Center (IMC) will be a special agency under the Puntland State of Somalia whose main function shall be to collect, process and analyze water and land resources information in coordination with the relevant government institutions, in support of policy development for sustainable and integrated water and land resources management, and to provide water and land related data and information to the end users. Download pdf(2.5 MB)

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Journal Publications

Locally Defined Seasonal Rainfall Characteristics within the Horn of Africa Drylands from Rain Gauge Observations

Seasonal rainfall is critical to lives and livelihoods within the Horn of Africa drylands (HAD), but it is highly variable in space and time.

A multi-sensor remote sensing approach to monitor charcoal production sites in Somalia’s forests

Somalia, with almost 2/3 of its land devoted to agriculture and livestock rearing, is facing the negative impacts of uncontrolled deforestation activities.

Hydro-Meteorological Hazards Risks, and Disasters

Hydro-Meteorological Hazards, Risks, and Disasters, 2e, provides an integrated look at the major disasters that have had, and continue to have, major implications for many of the world’s people, such

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In focus

SWALIM Builds IMC-Puntland and Line Ministry Staff on Land Degradation Monitoring and Sand Dune Mapping

As part of its ongoing Capacity Development Programme, FAO SWALIM conducted nine-day training on Land Degradation Monitoring and Sand Dune Mapping from 3 - 13 November 2025 in Martisoor Hotel, Garowe, Puntland. The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of government ministries and institutions to monitor soil erosion, vegetation change, and sand-dune expansion using Earth Observation tools.

SWALIM Builds Government Capacity on Land Cover Mapping in Mogadishu

As part of its ongoing capacity-building programme, SWALIM–FAO conducted a Land Cover Mapping Training Using the LCCS3 Legend in Mogadishu from 10 to 21 August 2025. The training brought together technical staff from five Federal Government ministries and agencies – Agriculture and Irrigation, Environment and Climate Change, Livestock Forestry and Range, Energy and Water Resources, and the Somali National Bureau of Statistics.

Mapping of river breakages for flood preparedness in Somalia

Floods remain one of the most devastating hazards in Somalia, causing widespread destruction of lives and livelihoods, while also displacing thousands of families each year. The country’s two main rivers (Juba and Shabelle rivers) are vital lifelines that support fishing, farming and water resources for millions of Somali people. However, the same rivers pose a serious risk when their banks are damaged.

SODMA and FAO Call for Immediate Preparedness Measures as Somalia Faces Severe Climate Challenges

Mogadishu, Somalia: Immediate preparedness measures are essential to safeguard Somali communities from the anticipated below-normal rainfall forecast for the March-April-May 2025 (Gu) season.

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