ADF approves $19.7m to upgrade Doolow, support 128,000 displaced Somalis

A major component of the project focuses on delivering secure land tenure for 10,500 displaced people and constructing 1,750 climate-resilient homes.

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a $19.7 million grant to transform living conditions for vulnerable communities in Doolow, one of Somalia’s most fragile and drought-prone border towns. The funding will improve urban infrastructure, expand livelihood opportunities, and support the long-term local integration of more than 128,000 internally displaced people (IDPs).

The grant comes through the Transition Support Facility under the Strengthening Urban Resilience of Displaced and Host Communities in Doolow Project, designed to create lasting, people-centered solutions for communities affected by conflict, climate shocks and prolonged displacement.

Secure Housing and Land Tenure for Displaced Families

A major component of the project focuses on delivering secure land tenure for 10,500 displaced people and constructing 1,750 climate-resilient homes. These permanent structures will replace years of unsafe, temporary shelters and give families dignity, stability and protection from extreme weather.

New homes will be integrated into planned settlements equipped with basic services, creating safer and more inclusive neighbourhoods for both displaced and host communities.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure to Reduce Risk

Doolow sits at a strategic border crossing between Somalia and Ethiopia and is highly vulnerable to seasonal flooding. The project will introduce:

• New stormwater drainage systems

• Rehabilitated irrigation canals

• Flood-protection measures for surrounding farmland

These upgrades will reduce disaster risks, boost agricultural production, and help communities adapt to worsening climate impacts.

Empowering Women and Youth With Skills and Economic Opportunities

Women and young people represent the majority of Doolow’s displaced population. The project includes an ambitious package of livelihood and social development programmes:

• Vocational training and entrepreneurship support

• Startup kits for small businesses

• Establishment of 150+ Village Savings and Loan Associations to expand women’s financial independence

• Farmer teaching fields benefiting 4,500 households, promoting climate-smart agriculture and diversified incomes

• Direct support for 500 women and youth to access new opportunities to learn, earn, lead and build resilience

“These investments bring hope and stability to families who have endured years of uncertainty,” said Bubacarr Sankareh, AfDB Lead Operations Advisor for Somalia. “By investing in housing, basic services, and jobs, people can rebuild their lives with dignity.”

Strengthening Government Capacity and Long-Term Urban Planning

To support Doolow’s transition from a humanitarian settlement into a well-planned, resilient urban centre, the project will enhance governance capacity at federal, state and district levels. More than 380 government officials will be trained in:

• Land administration

• Conflict mitigation

• Community-centered urban planning

• Disaster-risk management

These investments will help national and local authorities implement sustainable urban development beyond the project period.

A First Step Toward National Solutions for Displacement

The initiative is designed under Somalia’s National Solutions Pathways Action Plan (2024–2029), the country’s roadmap to move one million people out of displacement through voluntary, safe and sustainable local integration.

“By investing in skills, safety, and economic inclusion, we are breaking cycles of vulnerability and building a foundation for lasting resilience,” Sankareh added.

The project marks a milestone in Somalia’s shift from humanitarian relief to long-term recovery and development, providing a replicable model for other regions facing large-scale displacement.