Water is the driving force in nature

Leonardo da Vinci

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry

Thomas Fuller

Water is Life! The need for sustainable management of water resources cannot be underestimated. SWALIM seeks to actively promote the use of water information by decision makers to:

• Protect and enhance water resources and effectively manage groundwater and surface-water for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, recreational, and ecological use.
• Minimize loss of life and property as a result of water-related natural hazards, such as floods and droughts, through early warning systems.
• Contribute to the sustainable physical and economic development of Somalia's natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.                                                                                                                                                                 

Fetching water at Cusbo Eelo Dam

Our areas of focus in water include:

• Providing water information that benefits government and non-governmental agencies and Somali citizens
• Performing water resources research
• Setting up systems to monitor water resources and climate
• Providing early warning on natural hazards such as floods and drought.

Given Somalia’s predominately dry climate, water is a precious resource that influences the performance of all sectors. Dependence on water is further amplified by the fact that a majority of Somalis depend on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods. Apart from a few areas with good precipitation to support rain-fed agriculture, most of Somalia is arid and semi-arid, and agriculture is only possible through irrigation. Irrigated agriculture is practiced especially along the Juba and Shabelle rivers in the South and on a smaller scale in the northern basins and natural oases. Livestock remains the pre-dominant source of livelihood for most parts of Somalia. Over the years, the 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.