Somalia Leads the Charge in Climate Resilience Efforts

Somalia is betting big on it′s National Transformation Plan to build food and climate resilience as the country comes out of the woods after years of conflict and economic turmoil. Well, I spoke to Abdihakim Ainte for more. As you rightly said that Somalia is probably the second most impacted country by the climate shocks. We have close to 3.5 million people who are internally displaced as a result of this persistent climate shocks. And then also we are very much also struggling with our entire food chain and food system and agricultural because of the climate impact that it has had on this landscape. So we are heavily impacted but that does not stop from us but also focusing on more looking forward to invest in the future. We are currently working on the first national transformational plan by the government of Somalia and in this plan we have put a heavy emphasis in the question of the food resilience, climate resilience and food systems as a major pillar, as a major component. And we are hoping also to work with our partners and also countries that are also having similarities and share the same challenges with us. But as a country we are really coming out of the woods and it took us quite some time but I think we are now in a good direction with regard to how we tackle and address the shocks. You know, climate shocks happen in every country. I mean it is very natural. The difference is how you cope with and how you respond to it. And for the last 30 plus years our coping capacity has been very challenging and very difficult but as we move forward the government is really recovering and now we're building our government institutions so that they can better respond to the humanitarian crisis that are impacting in our livestock and food systems. And looking at Somalia as a country, of course the economy is facing quite a number of challenges. I'd like to know in terms of financing the climate mitigation arm in terms of turning around the country, how is it going so far? How much are you putting in? What are some of the partners that you're looking to tap? So we have an entire minister of climate and environment and we are putting a number of mitigatory measures in place, one of which investing in the local communities so that they can better prepare and better equipped should there be any disaster, you know, comes. First time ever now we are far better in at least forewarning whenever crisis happened and we also have an entire agents that is tasked to deal with should there be any crisis or disaster occur called the Somali disaster agents management agents. So together, you know, because of we have endured such a difficult time over the last 30 plus years, it gives us a sense of responsibilities. It gives us a sense of it's time for us to take the responsibility into our hands so that we better respond and provide the necessary support that our people do need. Of course, we have our partners that we work, I mean, we work governments from US government to mostly the multilateral agencies, IMF, World Bank, the vertical, you know, donors such as the GCF, Global Climate Green Fund and so on and so forth. We have all those, you know, arrangements available. We've mobilized them here and there but, I mean, the box and this with us as a society and as a government and I can see there is a good positive momentum that, you know, in our institutions are now performing better than they were in few years ago. Now whenever there is a flooding or any natural disaster, you know, occur, you know, it's the government that provides the first line of response. That was not the case previously. We relied more on external handouts to provide. So as we, you know, increase our legitimacy and build our institutions so as our response will become much more effective and impactful. And finally, there's a lot of talk around unlocking climate financing. How critical is climate finance for Somalia? Right now, a number of countries bearing the brunt of climate change and yet African countries are among the least of polluters. I mean, Somalia is absolutely no exception. I mean, we are, we don't absolutely contribute whatsoever any dime of to the pollutions and we are suffering the most, I mean, among the global countries. Like I said, we're the second most affected country by the climate crisis. I think the climate finance is critical. It's very important and there are still some big, big challenges. And this is something that we are taking it to the Security Council when we, Somalia, as you know, we have been elected to Security Council as an impermanent seat. And we're hoping to sort of coordinate and collaborate with other countries who are advocating and championing for the climate finance. We're actually at the forefront now, and now that we are in a leadership position in Security Council, now we can put forward a motion that, you know, countries who are suffering the most should receive a climate finance, their fair share, but also their equitable investment. So we are hoping we can accelerate our voice at the international level, but as well as regional level. And as you know, we've also joined and admitted to the East African community. And now we can mobilize partners such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, you know, all those countries in a sort of a common agenda around how we can better unlock those climate finance. It's not easy because the global financial architecture that are in place is such that it's very rigid and it only serves to countries that have advanced capabilities. So we are among the countries that are really raising their voice very vocally. And hopefully with the Security Council mandate next year, we'll be able to tap that resource.

Somalia is betting big on it’s National Transformation Plan to build food and climate resilience as the country comes out of the woods after years of conflict and economic turmoil. CNBC Africa spoke to Abdihakim Ainte, Director: Food Security & Climate Change, Somalia for more. 

Somalia steps up to ward off climate shocks

Somalia is betting big on it’s National Transformation Plan to build food and climate resilience as the country comes out of the woods after years of conflict and economic turmoil. 

Somalia steps up to ward off climate shocks

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Somalia steps up to ward off climate shocks

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