Germany invests $32 million towards urban resilience in Somalia

[Deeq A.]

The German Government announced its commitment of EUR 23.4 million to support infrastructure work in Somalia. Channeled through the World Bank’s Multi Partner Fund (MPF) the contribution will strengthen municipal planning and implementation capacity to improve access to basic infrastructure.

“Germany joins the MPF at a critical and exciting juncture,” said Marius Rauh, Head of Development Cooperation: “Investments in infrastructure through municipalities will not only contribute to generating growth in urban areas and improving the living conditions for Somali citizens, but will also support local governments in planning and managing more resilient cities.” In addition, an amount of Euro 1.2 was committed to support necessary preparatory studies.

The MPF has been investing in urban infrastructure through the Somali Urban Investment Planning Project and through the Somalia Financing Facility for Local Development. The German contribution will allow for an expansion in the support to urban development through the MPF.

The contribution from the German Government recognizes the key role of government in the development and implementation of the urban agenda in Somalia, in line with the MPF’s approach to using country systems and putting the government in the lead in the country’s development.

“The World Bank’s role in Somalia is about working with and through government and building the capacity of the authorities to spearhead reform and development,” said Hugh Riddell, World Bank Country Representative for Somalia. “Germany’s contribution to the MPF will allow us to build on the initial work in urban resilience and to expand this agenda across the country.”

“The Federal Government appreciates Germany’s commitment to use government systems and channel funds through the MPF. We cannot underestimate the importance of government leadership in rebuilding the country,” said H.E Hon. Abdirahman Beileh, Minister of Finance for the Federal Government. “We also welcome the important contributions that Germany will bring to the agenda, given their role in co-chairing the Infrastructure Working Group.”

The Multi Partner Fund works predominantly through Somali authorities and includes institution-building, economic growth and urban development activities. MPF is supported by the European Union (EU),  United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA), the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the Swiss Agency for Development Co-operation (SDC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the World Bank’s State- and Peacebuilding Fund (SPF).

www.worldbank.org