Mogadishu, Somalia, 18 February 2025 – The Enhancing Resilience in Border Communities: Climate-Adapted Water Management and Feeder Roads (DARIS WACAN) project was officially launched today, marking a significant step towards improving climate resilience, water resource management and socio-economic development for border communities in Somalia and Kenya. Funded by the European Union (EU), the three-year initiative – to be implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – aims to benefit 160,000 people by expanding access to sustainable water, strengthening infrastructure and promoting climate-adaptive livelihoods.

DARIS WACAN, which means “good neighbours” in Somali, targets drought-affected border communities reliant on transboundary natural resources and struggling with insufficient water – for human and livestock consumption, and agriculture. Beyond infrastructure, the project will support income-generating activities to help communities diversify their income and reduce reliance on dwindling natural resources.

“The Daris Wacan project aligns with our development policies, including trade opportunities, enhancing cross-border management and integration, and fostering common security operations,” said H.E. Said Mohamed Mohamud, State Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing, Somalia. “This project is also a testament to our regional collaboration, as it brings together diverse people from different governments and local community groups.”

“Mobility, when managed effectively, is not a problem; instead, it benefits both migrants and local communities,” said H.E. Dr Ali Maalim Mohamud, Deputy Governor of Mandera County, Kenya. “Water management, digital connectivity, and the construction of roads and customs infrastructure are essential for all major cities, especially those in border regions. Development is truly great when it serves all people, including migrants. Finally, the Daris Wacan regional project is a step forward, but it will not be enough on its own. Governments must work together to achieve more."

“The European Union has a long-standing partnership with the Horn of Africa region. Under our Global Gateway and Horn of Africa Initiative strategies, we have provided support of approximately EUR 1.26 billion to the region in recent years,” said H.E. Karin Johansson, EU Ambassador to Somalia. “The EUR 11 million Daris Wacan project will improve trade and social cohesion, leading to greater stability in borderland communities and in the region.”

“Climate challenges do not recognize borders, and neither should our solutions,” said Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director for East, Horn, and Southern Africa. “Through Daris Wacan, we are not only improving infrastructure but also fostering regional cooperation, strengthening governance, and addressing underlying sources of conflict related to water and natural resources.”