The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a grant of $19.7 million to improve living conditions for 20,000 vulnerable households and support the local integration of over 128,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Doolow, one of Somalia's most fragile border towns.
The grant from the Transition Support Facility for Somalia's Strengthening Urban Resilience of Displaced and Host Communities in Doolow Project will help deliver tangible, life-changing impacts through the provision of secure land tenure for 10,500 IDPs and construction of 1,750 climate-resilient homes. These will provide families with safe, dignified shelter after years of displacement.
New stormwater drainage systems and rehabilitated irrigation canals will reduce flood risks, protect farms, and strengthen food production.
Women and youth, who make up the majority of Doolow's displaced population, will gain access to vocational skills, entrepreneurship support and startup kits. More than 150 Village Savings and Loans Associations will help women build financial independence. The project will also establish farmer teaching fields for some 4,500 households, helping more families adopt climate-smart agriculture and diversify their income. Roughly 500 women and youth will especially see new opportunities to study, work, lead and thrive.
"This project brings 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."
The initiative will also strengthen government capacity at federal, state, and district levels. Over 380 officials will be trained in land administration, conflict mitigation, and people-centred urban planning. This will support Doolow's long-term transition from a humanitarian hub to a resilient, inclusive, and well-planned urban centre.
Designed under Somalia's National Solutions Pathways Action Plan (2024-2029), this project is the first national project aimed at moving one million Somalis out of displacement through local integration.
"By also investing in skills, safety, and economic inclusion, we are breaking cycles of vulnerability and building a foundation for lasting resilience," Sankareh said further.
