Battling Climate Change in Beledweyne, Somalia: A Community on the Edge 

NAIROBI, KENYA (HN) — Beledweyne, a city on the Shabelle River in the Hiran Region of Somalia, has come to represent  the climatic disaster sweeping the Horn of Africa. For the residents of Beledweyne, increasing  temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and destructive floods are all signs of  climate change, not just a theoretical idea. These extreme weather events have become more  frequent and intense in recent years, endangering livelihoods, water supply, and food security in  this semi-arid area. Long-standing political and socioeconomic problems compound these climatic  effects, making Beledweyne one of Somalia’s most climate-vulnerable regions. 

The Climate Crisis in Beledweyne 

Beledweyne’s agricultural economy has historically depended on seasonal rainfall, but climate  change is progressively upsetting these patterns. Environmental experts believe that deforestation  and rising global temperatures, which intensify the effects of droughts and floods and decrease  water retention, are largely to blame for the region’s susceptibility. Residents of Beledweyne have 

limited alternatives for recovery and reconstruction after a disastrous succession of natural  catastrophes in recent years. Since 2019, Beledweyne is foremost and vulnerable City of floods  causes by climate change and water flows highlands of Ethiopia. 

Climate change has led to unpredictable rainfall, causing frequent and disastrous floods in  Ethiopia’s highlands. Floods in 2019 forced over 200,000 people to flee, destroyed crops, and  sparked a humanitarian disaster. Insufficient local resources result in recurring destruction cycles  in flood-prone areas. 

These floods cause enormous damage that extends beyond houses and farmland, as the  International Organization for Migration (IOM) has observed. The social infrastructure of  Beledweyne is further weakened by the impact on roads, schools, and medical services.  Communities are left vulnerable to recurrent climatic shocks as a result of the absence of drainage  infrastructure and flood barriers like levees and embankments. The magnitude of the demand is  frequently beyond the scope of local relief operations, which mostly rely on foreign aid  organizations whose support is frequently restricted and temporary. 

Last year Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre emphasized and addressed the urgency of  the situation and the need for international collaboration:

“We are facing an unprecedented disaster in Beledweyne. The federal government is doing  everything possible to support affected families, but the magnitude of the flooding requires  broader international assistance.” Mr. Barre highlighted the displacement of thousands and the  destruction of homes, stressing the need for food, water, and medical aid.  

In addition to those floods, Beledweyne experiences protracted droughts as a result of erratic and  unequal rainfall distribution over the area. Severe water shortages brought on by droughts impact  both the drinking water supply and the agriculture industry. Drought has decimated agriculture,  which is the main source of income for most people in Beledweyne, resulting in hunger and food  insecurity. Recent droughts have caused cattle numbers to drop by more than 50%, according to  the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as animals die from dehydration and a shortage of  feed. The local economy is impacted by this enormous loss of livestock, which destabilizes  populations that depend on these animals for survival and erodes wealth. 

In the absence of sufficient rainfall, Beledweyne’s groundwater levels continue to deplete, making  it difficult for residents to access clean and safe drinking water. Many are forced to turn to unsafe  water sources, which contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases, further burdening an already  strained healthcare system. This cycle of drought and disease is particularly dangerous for children  and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to malnutrition and illness. 

Environmental Degradation and Resource Scarcity 

Degradation of the environment brought on by overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable  farming methods exacerbates the issue in Beledweyne. Due to human activities, forests and other  vegetation that were formerly essential for maintaining moisture and supporting the soil have  drastically decreased. Due to deforestation brought on by the demand for farming and firewood,  the soil is now exposed and less able to hold water, which raises the possibility of desertification. 

The crisis in Beledweyne is compounded by environmental degradation resulting from  deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Forests and vegetation, which  once played a crucial role in stabilizing the soil and preserving moisture, have been significantly 

reduced due to human activity. Deforestation, driven by the need for firewood and farmland, has  left the soil exposed and unable to retain water, increasing the risk of desertification. 

In addition to deforestation, overgrazing by livestock further degrades the land, stripping it of  vegetation and nutrients necessary for regeneration. This environmental degradation is not only  detrimental to agriculture but also contributes to a loss of biodiversity, affecting the ecological  balance of the region. With fewer trees and plants to hold the soil in place, Beledweyn’s landscape  becomes more susceptible to erosion and less capable of withstanding the impacts of drought and  flood. 

Socio-Economic Impacts on Beledweyne’s Residents 

Climate change impacts Beledweyne’s economy, social systems, and agriculture, causing rising  food prices and displacement. Economic instability leads to migration from rural areas to urban  centers, straining resources and infrastructure, such as water supply, schools, and medical  facilities. 

Climate change disproportionately impacts women and children, who often provide food and water  for their families. Children often drop out of school to help with household chores, while women  must gather resources, limiting their free time. This socioeconomic impact makes Beledweyne  more vulnerable and impoverished, limiting families’ resilience to future climate shocks. 

Efforts Toward Climate Adaptation and Resilience 

Despite these challenges, there are efforts underway to address the climate crisis in Beledweyne.  The Somali government, together with international organizations, is working on initiatives to help  communities adapt to the changing climate. Some of the measures include: 

Water Management and Infrastructure Projects: Projects aimed at improving water storage  and irrigation systems are helping communities better manage limited water resources. The FAO  has been involved in rehabilitating irrigation canals to improve agricultural productivity during  drought periods. Additionally, IOM has started building flood defenses and rehabilitating  damaged infrastructure to mitigate the impact of floods.

Sustainable Agriculture: There are ongoing efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture, which  includes practices that enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact. These  practices include crop rotation, conservation tillage, and the use of drought-resistant seeds. By  adopting these methods, farmers in Beledweyn can increase their resilience to climate variability. 

Community-Based Adaptation: Community-based programs are also critical to helping  residents of Beledweyn cope with climate change. These programs focus on building local  capacity, encouraging reforestation, and promoting resource management practices that reduce  vulnerability to droughts and floods. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local councils  are supporting reforestation projects, which aim to restore degraded land and increase water  retention capacity in the soil. 

International Aid and Advocacy: International humanitarian and development organizations  play a significant role in providing short-term relief and long-term development support. These  organizations, including OCHA and the FAO, are advocating for increased funding to address  climate adaptation and resilience in Somalia. Increased international support is essential to scale  up these efforts and ensure sustainable progress for Beledweyne’s residents.

In Conclusion 

The inhabitants of Beledweyne perceive climate change as an imminent and existential danger. A  multifaceted strategy combining national legislation, foreign aid, and local resilience initiatives is  needed to address the climate issue in Beledweyne. The severity of the climatic consequences  necessitates immediate action to improve infrastructure, promote sustainable development, and  increase community resilience to future climate shocks.  Due to Somalia’s distinct geographic and sociopolitical circumstances, combating climate change  is extremely difficult, but not impossible. Beledweyne can serve as an example for climate  adaptation with coordinated efforts, showcasing the value of cooperation between regional  authorities, local communities, and international partners. The road ahead is difficult, but with  consistent assistance and creative fixes, the people of Beledweyne might have an opportunity to  start over in the face of a changing climate. 

Mohamed Muse Mohamed  

Pursuing MA: in Communication and M. Studies 

At Kenyatta University 

E-mail. Sangaab123@gmail.com 

WhatsApp: +254798887395/ +252615717837