FLOOD RESPONSE, PEACEBUILDING & COMMUNITY ACTION, Jowhar District, May-July 2024
ACCESS facilitated an emergency resilience effort that joined community dialogue, conflict mitigation and practical flood-defence work in two highly exposed riverine villages. The project implemented by Nusros9 with the support from IOM-Somalia
Following flood-vulnerability assessment and consultation with district authorities, elders, women and youth, the activity organized transparent community participation around vulnerable riverbank locations. Residents worked on locally appropriate barriers using sandbags, timber and metal reinforcement, while community agreements clarified responsibilities and accountability.
Peacebuilding and disaster-risk sessions ran alongside the physical works. Inclusive discussions mapped natural-resource disputes, promoted peaceful coexistence and strengthened local understanding of flood preparedness. Participation arrangements sought representation across community groups, including women, youth and marginalized households.
The activity showed that stronger flood resilience depends on both practical protection and the trust, organization and shared responsibility needed to maintain it.
The program stabilized of over 1,000 meters of riverbank across the two villages. Engaged of 120 residents in Cash-for-Work (CfW) activities with gender balance. Strengthened of local committees to oversee flood resilience infrastructure. Delivered of technical training on embankment maintenance and sustainable land management
The intervention directly contributed to IOM’s objective of strengthening local resilience, promoting inclusive governance and addressing root causes of displacement. As ACCESS under Nuros9 who implemented the project with IOM’s support, this initiative served as a scalable model for community-centered flood mitigation and recovery across Hirshabelle and other flood-prone regions of Somalia.