Watford, England – Windmills, solar powered water systems and 10,000 cook stoves are among the schemes that will make a difference to people living in poverty in Somalia. The innovative project will benefit the states of Puntland and Somaliland in this country, where re-development has started after a long civil conflict.

With this project ADRA-UK has secured its largest project co-funded with European Commission to date. The ‘Somalia Energy and Livelihood project’ will start in Somalia on November 1 2007 and will last for three years. Valued at €2,000,000 (£1,370,000), 75% of the funding is furnished by the European Commission.

Somalia is classified as a ‘least developed country’. It is one of the poorest countries in the world with per capita income of less than £100 a year. 53% of the population live below the poverty line. The situation has been exacerbated by the effects of war and lack of state authorities. This has led to the total collapse of social services. (more)