SWALIM Holds “Open Day” Information Sharing Event in Nairobi

On 12 and 13 July, 2016, the Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) project held two well-attended days of information sharing at the FAO Somalia office in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was a great success and provided an opportunity for FAO Somalia and FAO Kenya colleagues to learn more about SWALIM’s award-winning work and impact it has on Somalia.

SWALIM Supports Natural Resource Management Activities in Somalia

The rapidly increasing human population in Somalia, coupled with protracted civil strife, continues to exert heavy pressure on the land and environment, resulting in a rapid depletion of the country’s natural resources. The current situation is unsustainable, in that resources are being extracted more quickly than they can regenerate, leading to the gradual loss of these important biological assets. The principle threats to biodiversity in Somalia include commercial land use practices, like deforestation for timber and charcoal production, soil depletion through over-harvesting, and changes in climate, which have led to decreased rainfall.

El Niño, How SWALIM Supported Early Warning and Preparedness

SWALIM Early Warning Activities During the El Niño Event The El Niño climate phenomenon of 2015 was predicted to be one of the strongest and most destructive in history (see SWALIM Newsletter Update 9 of May-August 2015). In anticipation of the potentially dire effects in Somalia, SWALIM worked hard with development partners and Somali authorities to mount an unprecedented campaign of preparedness. Unlike in previous years, when floods caused death and devastation on farmland, infrastructure and facilities such as schools, the situation was different this time round - with most destruction averted following the early actions undertaken. While the more extreme El Niño predictions were not born out in Somalia, a large part of the reason for the limited damage recorded was due to the timely efforts of SWALIM and partners.