The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved $134 million in funding for two major projects designed to bolster climate resilience among vulnerable agricultural communities in Somalia and Iraq. These initiatives, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aim to support millions of farmers and pastoralists facing the escalating challenges of climate change, including droughts, floods, and water scarcity.
Kaveh Zahedi, Director of FAO’s Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, expressed pride in the organization’s selection by Somalia and Iraq for these climate change investments. “These projects reflect FAO’s commitment to transformative climate action, helping to build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in fragile settings,” Zahedi stated. “By empowering communities with knowledge, tools, and technology, we’re investing in solutions that enhance food security, support livelihoods, and strengthen climate resilience.”
The announcements were made at the 40th GCF Board meeting held in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea, from October 21–24.
### Climate Resilient Agriculture in Somalia: The “Ugbaad” Project
Somalia’s agriculture faces critical challenges from poverty, conflict, and increasingly severe climate impacts. The FAO, in collaboration with the Somali government, has launched “Ugbaad” (meaning “hope” in Somali), a seven-year, $95 million project to build resilience in the agricultural sector. This initiative represents the largest GCF-funded climate investment led by the FAO.
“Climate change is a matter of survival for Somalia,” stated Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, Somalia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The Climate Resilient Agriculture project, supported by the Green Climate Fund, will help over two million people restore land, improve food security, and build resilience against the severe climate impacts we face.”
The Ugbaad project seeks to support Somalia’s rural communities by promoting sustainable land management, improving water access, and introducing climate-resilient farming practices. Plans include restoring over 50,000 hectares of degraded land, training 86,000 farmers and pastoralists in climate-smart agriculture, and rehabilitating vital infrastructure such as irrigation canals and rural roads.
Directly benefiting 1.2 million people, with an additional 973,000 indirectly impacted, Ugbaad aims to increase food production, reduce dependence on imports and aid, and bolster food security. The project also prioritizes gender equality, with women comprising 50 percent of the beneficiaries.
Ugbaad will further contribute to peacebuilding and sustainable development by strengthening governance, improving climate information systems, and fostering community involvement, creating a model for resilience in other fragile regions.
### Bringing Water and Life to Iraq’s Drylands: The SRVALI Project
In Iraq, rising temperatures and water shortages have threatened both agriculture and political rebuilding efforts. The FAO-led “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agriculture Livelihoods in Iraq’s Rural Communities” (SRVALI) project has received a $29.25 million grant from GCF, with a total project value of $38.95 million. This six-year project aims to increase water-use efficiency, promote climate-resilient farming, and empower women as agents of change in their communities.
SRVALI targets climate-related water and food security issues in the arid regions of Karbala, Muthanna, and Najaf, where agriculture is the primary livelihood. Key initiatives include climate-adaptive infrastructure, improved irrigation, and solar power for farms. The project will bring over 121,000 hectares under climate-resilient management, benefiting approximately two million people, including jobs for internally displaced persons and equal benefits for women.
Beyond immediate impacts, SRVALI promotes sustainable development by collaborating with Iraqi ministries and universities to incorporate climate-resilient practices into national policy, scaling up adaptation efforts across Iraq and the region.