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)

 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

 In focus

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.

Land Degradation Monitoring and Mapping Training Using Google Earth Engine

The training, held from 8th to 19th September, 2024, provided participants with comprehensive knowledge of land degradation dynamics, its causes, and impacts, focusing on soil erosion as a major form of degradation.

Puntland Strengthens Drought Monitoring Skills Using Combined Drought Index

As part of its Capacity Development Programme, SWALIM conducted a training on Drought Monitoring from June 23 to July 4, 2024, in Garoowe, Puntland. SWALIM acknowledges that both theoretical and practical knowledge on drought monitoring, analysis, and forecasting enhance the capabilities of Federal and State line ministries and departments in managing drought-related challenges.

FAO and Italy Launch New Initiative to Enhance Watershed Management in Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia – A new project to enhance the overall Somalia water and land resource information management within government institutions was launched today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Embassy of Italy in Mogadishu and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The project, "Strengthening Capacities of Integrated Watershed Management (SCIWM)," was officially signed in Mogadishu by representatives from the institutions.

 SWALIM Publications

Review of Deyr 2024 Rainfall Performance, Jilal Status, Gu 2025 Outlook, and Implications on Livelihoods over Somalia

Contributing to about 60 % of annual rainfall, Gu season is critical for the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) including Somalia.

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Somalia Rainfall Forecast – Issued 20 December 2024

According to ICPAC WRF forecasts, light rains (of less than 10 mm) are expected over some areas in the north and south with chances of up to 50 mm over some areas in Lower Juba and Middle Juba regions during the coming week.

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Somalia Rainfall Forecast – Issued 13 December 2024

According to NOAA-NCEP GFS forecasts, only very light rains (<10 mm) are expected over extremely narrow northern coastal parts of Somalia during the coming week (Map 2). Dry conditions will dominate the rest of the country as Somalia remains under a La Niña Watch phase.

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Somalia Rainfall Forecast – Issued 06 December 2024

According to NOAA-NCEP GFS, light rainfall is expected over isolated areas in Lower Juba and Bay and along the eastern coastal parts of the country with dry conditions likely to prevail elsewhere during the coming week (Map 3).

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 Donors

SWALIM is a multi-donor project managed by FAO and currently funded by The European Union, USAID, SDC, FCDO and Government of France

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