In Somalia, many people struggle with a lack of energy. They often rely on firewood and charcoal, which not only harms the environment but also leads to conflicts over natural resources. These issues are made worse by climate change and a lack of basic services. To tackle these problems, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is promoting solar power for rural electrification. This effort is part of a larger strategy to build peace and protect the environment.
The IOM’s solar power initiative aims to create partnerships between local businesses and public entities. This collaboration can help support environmental peacebuilding in three key ways: at the community level, within local businesses, and through district councils. By forming agreements for solar projects, these partnerships foster cooperation, ease tensions caused by competition for resources, and boost the legitimacy of local governments in south-central Somalia.
This approach not only provides clean energy but also promotes stability and community resilience. The insights gathered from the initial phases of this project offer valuable lessons for donors and organizations looking to improve peacebuilding efforts through solar energy initiatives.
The partnership between IOM and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), supported by the European Union Foreign Policy Instrument, aims to create lasting change in the region.
Check out this related article: Plastics Crisis: How It’s Impacting Your Health and Our Planet
Source link