The leader of Southwest State of Somalia, accompanied by the Minister of Energy and Water Resources, officially launched the Solar Power Project in Barawe.
The project is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Southwest State and the Federal Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, with funding from the African Development Bank. It aims to provide affordable and reliable electricity, create jobs, and promote clean energy and private sector development.
The Ministry remains committed to expanding access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy across Southwest State.
The Minister of Energy and Water Resources of South West State, Mohammed Hassan Idriss, accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, met with Merete Dyrud, Chargé d’Affaires at the Norwegian Embassy in Somalia, in Mogadishu on 22 October 2026.
Discussions focused on community needs, El Niño preparedness and its potential impacts, water infrastructure, and ongoing development initiatives across South West State.
Minister @MHidriss briefed the Chargé d’Affaires on the region’s water needs and plans to develop water reservoirs in Baidoa to improve access to clean water, enhance rainwater storage, and mitigate the effects of drought.
The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of South West State met with senior representatives of MSF to discuss preparedness and emergency response plans for potential El Niño impacts, particularly in displacement-affected areas.
The meeting emphasized strengthening coordination and cooperation to ensure timely, effective responses and protect the most vulnerable communities.
The Acting Director General, Liban Aw Khalif, thanked MSF for its ongoing humanitarian efforts and support to the government and communities across South West State.
The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of South West State has successfully established District Water Committees and the Regional Water Committee in Lower Shabelle.
The initiative was supported by the JOSP Project, led by @FAOSomalia to strengthen water governance, improve water resource management, and promote community participation at the regional and district levels.
The Ministry remains committed to strengthening water governance, promoting sustainable water resource management, and enhancing community participation in decision-making.
A delegation of Southwest State ministers, including Minister of Energy and Water Resources @MHidriss, met with Odile Robert, Head of International Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi, whose mandate includes Kenya, Eritrea, Somalia and Uganda, to discuss community priorities and opportunities for cooperation in water access, climate resilience, women’s empowerment, youth employment, and sustainable development.
During the meeting, Minister Idriss highlighted the need to expand access to safe water, strengthen water infrastructure, reduce health risks associated with water scarcity, and develop sustainable solutions to recurring droughts.
The Ministries of Energy & Water Resources and Health of South West State jointly commemorated World Handwashing Day in Baidoa, alongside WASH Cluster partners.
The event highlighted the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene in protecting public health, preventing diseases, and promoting healthier communities. The ministries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration with WASH partners to improve services and raise public awareness of proper hygiene practices.
A team of experts and technical specialists from the Federal Ministry of Water, the South West State Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, and the World Bank-funded Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project (Abaartir) has arrived in Ceelberde District, Bakool Region.
Led by the South West State Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, the delegation has commenced technical assessments and consultations with communities living in rural areas. The mission aims to identify suitable sites for the construction of boreholes and assess the water needs of communities and livestock in areas bordering Ethiopia.
During the delegation’s stay in the district, the borehole in Aato is also expected to be officially inaugurated and handed over to the local community. The Ministry has rehabilitated and upgraded the borehole, extending its water supply to the local school and health facility.
With the support of the JOSP Maareynta Project, the Ministry today conducted a one-day workshop in Janaale, Marka District, focused on the formation and formalization of Water Users Associations (WUAs). The workshop aimed to strengthen community participation, improve water governance, and promote sustainable and accountable management of local water resources.
#Josp #Maareynta
Baidoa | 24 September 2026: H.E. @MHidriss Minister of Energy and Water Resources of South West State of Somalia, met with Ms. Rania Ali Abdalla, the newly appointed @unicefsomalia WASH Lead for South West State, for an introductory and coordination meeting.
Discussions focused on strengthening strategic cooperation between the Ministry and UNICEF Somalia and enhancing joint efforts in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), with the aim of improving the quality, accessibility and sustainability of essential WASH services for communities across South West State.
Minister Ganey congratulated Ms. Rania on her appointment and expressed the Ministry’s commitment to continued partnership with UNICEF in advancing the WASH sector and supporting sustainable development across the state.
Baydhabo, 23 September 2026: The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the South West State of Somalia continues its public awareness campaign on El Niño preparedness.
On the third day, the Ministry continued community awareness activities in Baydhabo, focusing on preparedness for potential heavy rainfall and flooding, while promoting early action and risk reduction.
The campaign aims to strengthen community resilience and ensure timely preparedness information and early warnings reach vulnerable communities.
Baydhabo, 22 September 2026: As preparations continue for the potential impacts of El Niño, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the South West State of Somalia is continuing its public awareness campaign to strengthen community preparedness, prevention, and risk reduction in response to El Niño.
On the second day of the campaign, the Ministry visited displacement camps in Baydhabo, including Idaale 1 Camp, to raise community awareness about the potential impacts of El Niño, particularly heavy rainfall and flooding, while promoting practical preparedness measures.
The awareness activities form part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen early preparedness, public awareness, and coordination, helping communities reduce risks and protect lives and livelihoods.
The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that timely information, preparedness messages, and early warnings reach vulnerable communities, including those living in remote areas.
Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the South West State of Somalia today conducted an awareness visit to Abdalla Deerow Girls’ School and Al-Axmaar Primary and Secondary School in Baidoa. Students and members of the education community received awareness information on prevention measures and preparedness for the impacts of El Niño.
Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the South West State of Somalia today conducted an awareness visit to Abdalla Deerow Girls’ School and Al-Axmaar Primary and Secondary School in Baidoa. Students and members of the education community received awareness information on prevention measures and preparedness for the impacts of El Niño.
The awareness sessions focused on understanding the potential risks associated with El Niño, measures that can be taken to reduce its impacts, and the importance of early action by communities to minimize climate-related risks.
The Ministry emphasized the importance of raising awareness among students and the wider community, conserving water resources, and strengthening preparedness for emergencies in order to enhance communities’ capacity to prevent and reduce the impacts of El Niño.
The visit is part of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources’ ongoing efforts to strengthen public awareness, particularly within educational institutions, and to improve understanding of climate-related risks and measures aimed at protecting communities.
A meeting bringing together all WASH stakeholders operating in Bakool Region, the Bakool Regional Administration, and the Hudur District Administration was held today in Hudur, the capital of Bakool Region.
The meeting was led by the Director of the Water Department at the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of South West State of Somalia. Discussions focused on completed activities, ongoing interventions, upcoming plans, existing challenges, and ways to strengthen accountability and regular monitoring.
The Ministry also emphasized the importance of preparedness for the Deyr rainy season and El Niño-related conditions, particularly measures to prevent flooding and mitigate the impact of strong winds that may affect communities and essential services.
Finally, participants agreed to strengthen coordination and preparedness efforts and establish a joint rapid response mechanism, in collaboration with the Regional Administration and all district administrations across Bakool Region.
Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the South West State of Somalia conducted a one-day training in Baidoa on El Niño Awareness, Community Preparedness, Early Action, and Impact Mitigation.
The training forms part of a four-day awareness campaign aimed at strengthening understanding of El Niño and its potential impact on the lives and livelihoods of communities.
The training focused on community preparedness, raising awareness of El Niño-related risks, and highlighting the importance of early warnings and anticipatory action.
Participants were also introduced to approaches for delivering timely updates and information to communities, including planned visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, households, and different segments of the community.
Finally, the awareness campaign being conducted in Baidoa District aims to strengthen community understanding, enhance preparedness, and promote early action to reduce the potential impacts of El Niño-related hazards and protect the lives and property of communities.
Today in Afgoi District, the Ministry conducted a one-day workshop on the formation and formalization of Water Users Associations (WUAs), aimed at strengthening water governance, community participation, and sustainable management of water resources. #Josp