Solar-powered boreholes bring clean water to drought-hit Somalia
Solar-powered boreholes have begun supplying clean and reliable water to drought-affected communities in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia (MNTV) — Solar-powered boreholes have begun supplying clean and reliable water to drought-affected communities in Somalia, offering relief to thousands of people facing chronic water shortages amid recurring climate shocks.
The boreholes, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in coordination with Somalia’s federal and regional authorities, have been installed in Puntland and parts of northeastern Somalia.
The project aims to improve access to safe drinking water in areas where prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall and weak infrastructure have left communities dependent on expensive and unreliable water sources.
According to UNDP, the newly completed boreholes are part of a broader initiative to construct 10 solar-powered water systems across drought-prone regions. Once completed, the program is expected to directly benefit about 120,000 people, while indirectly supporting millions through improved water availability for households and livestock.
Somalia remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with repeated drought cycles severely affecting rural livelihoods. Nearly half of the population lacks access to basic water services, forcing many families to purchase water from private vendors or travel long distances to reach unsafe sources.
Unlike diesel-powered systems, the solar boreholes operate using renewable energy, reducing operational costs and ensuring a more consistent water supply in remote areas with little or no access to electricity.
The systems are designed to provide water for both domestic use and livestock, a critical need in pastoral communities where animal losses can devastate household incomes.
UNDP said local communities were consulted during the planning and installation process, with water management committees formed to oversee operations and maintenance. The approach is intended to promote long-term sustainability and local ownership of water resources.
While humanitarian agencies have long relied on water trucking during emergencies, development experts say solar-powered boreholes represent a more durable response to Somalia’s deepening water crisis.
However, they caution that such projects address only part of the challenge, as water insecurity remains closely linked to climate change, population growth and fragile governance structures.
For communities already benefiting from the new systems, the impact is immediate: shorter journeys for water, lower costs and improved health outcomes.
But aid officials stress that scaling up similar interventions will be essential as Somalia continues to grapple with worsening climate conditions.
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