In a significant step towards improving water security and community welfare in Somalia, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has commenced the construction of a new water security initiative. The project, which officially launched on August 28, 2024, at the Jowhar Airport Police Station, will leverage renewable technology to provide clean, accessible water to both the Somali Police Force and surrounding communities in Hirshabelle State.
ATMIS Constructs Solar-Powered Water Project in Somalia
This Quick Impact Project, funded by the Government of Kazakhstan, is designed to address chronic water scarcity in the region. The plan involves the construction of three shallow wells, each equipped with a water storage tank and powered by a dedicated solar energy system. The wells will be strategically located at the Jowhar Airport Police Station, the Baakin Police Station in Baidoa, and the Jubaland Police Headquarters in Kismayo, extending the project’s reach across multiple Federal Member States.
ATMIS Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu marked the project’s launch by officially handing it over to the contractor. “Within 60 days, the water project will be completed and ready for use by officers and residents,” she affirmed, setting a clear timeline for the delivery of this vital resource.
Strengthening Communities and Security
The initiative is a key component of ATMIS’s broader mandate to foster stability and sustainable development in Somalia. By ensuring a reliable water supply for law enforcement personnel, the project directly contributes to the operational effectiveness of the Somali Police Force, thereby enhancing local security and order. This effort builds on a history of successful collaboration, including a previous ATMIS project under its Stabilization and Early Recovery Programme that saw the construction of 16 water wells across Hirshabelle.
Local leadership has expressed strong appreciation for the ongoing support. Hirshabelle State Deputy Police Commissioner, Col. Hassan Kaafi, highlighted ATMIS’s wide-ranging contributions. “ATMIS Police has built for us a police station at the Jowhar Airfield and two others in Beletweyne. They continue to conduct capacity-building training for Somali Police Force officers. We are grateful for the support,” he stated. This water project underscores the positive impact of international partnerships in addressing critical infrastructure needs and empowering local institutions on Somalia’s path to recovery.
Sources
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- ATMIS and Kazakhstan Government Collaborate on clean and safe …
- ATMIS begins construction of solar-powered water project in Jowhar
- African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Police …
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