Somaliland: Better Urban Planning to Integrate Climate IDPs

The autonomous region of Somaliland, in the Horn of Africa,  is facing one of the worst climate-induced droughts in decades, forcing nomad communities to move to urban areas. Most of these internally displaced people settle informally in cities, where they lack access to shelter and essential services. Women, children, and other vulnerable groups are particularly affected.

Cities Alliance is working with local authorities in the cities of Gabiley and Borama, to better plan infrastructure and urban expansion needs in a sustainable and manageable way, as the population is expected to quadruple by 2050.

Well-planned urbanization in the region has an enormous potential to drive economic growth and more inclusive societies. Cross-city learning and replicating successful models from neighbouring cities such as Jigjiga, in Ethiopia, are also concrete ways forward to improve the living conditions of IDPs and residents in the long term.

This project is an initiative of our Cities and Migration programme, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).