Mangrove Restoration and Coastal Community Livelihood Diversification (MR-CCLD), Somalia

Inside the project

The report cites Digital Earth Africa analysis showing Somalia lost 1.65 square kilometres of mangrove between 1996 and 2020, driven by harvesting, farming and urban growth, with serious coastal erosion around Zeila, Alula and Habo.

Workshop participants included university lecturers, activists, civil society organisations and staff from several ministries. The planting sessions were led by ADILP, a private company specialising in environmental rehabilitation, which sourced propagules and ran the nursery.

The project's scope was reduced because of a tight timeline. The report recommends scaling up, with government integration and community involvement to sustain the work.

Objectives

• Build the skills of government agencies and coastal communities in mangrove restoration
• Collect baseline ecological and socio-economic data on mangroves and their users
• Raise community awareness of why mangroves matter for the coast

Approach

• Workshops brought together government, universities and civil society to share mangrove planting, rehabilitation and protection practice, followed by hands-on planting.
• Field surveys and community discussions documented the state of mangroves, the causes of their loss, and livelihood options such as eco-tourism and aquaculture.