Sahansaho – against desertification in Somalia

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The project addresses desertification in Central and Northern Somalia. The development objective of the project is to enhance sustainable development of the environment and well-being of local people. In particular, the aim is to stop desertification at three project areas. Immediate objectives include the following: the number and variety of the trees increase; environmental awareness increases; soil condition improves; traditional grass becomes available; and the capacity and cooperation between local partners improves. These objectives are to be reached through a long-term project (3 times 3 years), which (2013-2015) includes training and environmental awareness raising; construction of three environmental protection centers (including demonstration farms and tree nurseries); seedling growing and planting; land rehabilitation; introducing and promoting alternative energy sources;and capacity building of the local partners. This is a joint project, implemented in partnership with Finnish Somalia Network, three of its member organizations (Puntland Community ,PC; Sool, Sanaag and Hawd Development Association, SSHDA; and Somali Social Development Association, SSDA), and their respective partner organizations in North and Central Somalia (Homboboro Relief and Rehabilitation Organization, HRRO; Nomadic Development Organization, NDO; and Tanaad Relief and Development Organization, TARDO). The project creates an innovative cooperative model which enforces the civil society in Somalia and creates new networks. The final beneficiaries of the project are in total 1600 households (400 households in Buhodle area, 600 in Gaalkaacyo area, 600 in Adado area), whose environment and opportunities to livelihood will improve through tree planting and land rehabilitation. Each household will participate in planting demonstrations and will be given tree seedlings. This is a continuation project for the project which started in January 2012 by the funding provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.