The mandate of the preparation mission was to conduct a baseline survey covering socioeconomic, health, and technical aspects. In addition, the mission was to finalise the first and second five programme villages. The focus of the mission was deliberately on remote rural villages of the Bari Region that need water supply services. While the need for water extends beyond the villages visited, the purpose of the field visit was to deepen the understanding of the team In the rural areas so that clusters of villages could be selected as having priority and appropriate activities be planned In hygiene education and cost recovery. The general and specific objectives are mentioned in the Terms of Reference, which can be found in Annex 8.

(Extract from Summary)The report describes the observations and recommendations resulting from a range management consultancy in support of the Soil Erosion Control Project implemented by the NGQ Cooperazione Intemazionale (COOPI) in Borama and Baki Districts, western Somaliland, and funded by the European Community. During the mission, focus was on biological measures to reduce soil erosion, in particular through range management techniques, and rehabilitation of eroded land. Because the first phase of the project ended early May 1997, recommendations aim especially at the proposed second phase. Half of the projectandrsquos target villages were visited and issues related to range, livestock and forests were discussed with community membersrange condition and erosion problems were inspected around the communities and the projectandrsquos and private nurseries were visited as well. Observations and conclusions are described in the report.

Background UNICEF Somalia proposes to rehabilitate the existing reticulated urban water supply system in Kismayo City, Southern Somalia. The original city water source, the Juba River 32 km north of the city, is unsuitable to Kismayo's current needs due to running costs and the security situation to the north. UNICEF Somalia therefore intends to develop an alternative water source to the west of the city. This water supply will comprise water welts tapping the lower aquifer identified by previous drilling at Laheley approximately 18 km west of the city.br The scope of the current study is to:br 1. identify the extent and hydrogeology of the lower Laheley aquifer br2. recommend four or five borehole sites that would best tap this aquiferbr 3. identify the expected water quality and yield of the aquifer br4. carry out a topographical elevation survey from the recommended borehole sites to the existing Kismayo water reservoirBR 5. prepare a map of the study area indicating the extent of the aquifer the recommended borehole sites and the topographical survey resultsbr 6. submit a report including results, recommendations and maps 4 and 5 are not included in the present report.

This project specifically targets the 7,500 residents of Congo and Hanshonley areas in Jowhar District who are among the considered most vulnerable groups during the acute transitory food insecurity period.br The goal of the project is to restore the vulnerable farming households to productivity thereby improving the accessibility and availability of food in Congo and Hanshon]ey areas.br Among the objectives are: br to contribute in improving household food security and living conditions of 7,500 vulnerable people to minimum acceptable levels through restoration of agricultural infrastructure in Congo and Hanshonley areas in Jowhar District. br To assist 950 farmers in improving and strengthening their traditionally practiced farming methods and management of irrigation canals.br To support the establishment of networking mechanisms for enhancing linkages between and among local authorities, NGOs and local organizations concerned with agricultural programmes to ensure coordinated and unified approach for planning and delivery of agricultural services in the target areas.br

(Extract from Introduction)BRThis report elaborates the design of a local level natural resources monitoring and evaluation (MandE) system that assesses the status of the natural resources and the impact of development interventions on the status of the natural resources and the socio-economic systems of Somalia Using both conventional and participatory approaches, methods and tools. It incorporates the following: br• Ways to involve stakeholders in the Mand E process: br• A process for identifying indicative issues to be monitored in the various production systemsbr• A process for identifying indicators of change at local level in both the biophysical and socio-economic systemsbr• Appropriate participatory approaches, took, and methods for measuring changes in the selected indicatorsbr• A data storage and analysis system that harmonises the quantitative conventional monitoring data and the qualitative participatory monitoring data: br• A mechanism through which results of the MandE feed back into and strengthen the policy formulation, planning and management processes: br• Explores the linkages with macro level MandE system br• Requirements for implementation (personnel, training) are identified. The following questions guided formulation of the system: br• What is to be monitored: why/what is the monitoring intended to achievefor whom: what approach will be used? The system is designed to monitor impact of projects on both the natural resources and people, and to meet the needs and requirements of various stakeholders involved in the Rehabilitation Projects. These include donors, project staff and local communities. The proposed system builds on monitoring and evaluation methods and tools formulated and tested by IUCN and International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The principals of participatory planning designed by Andrew Inglis (IUCN, 1997) and the FAOandrsquos Community Forestry Manual 2 (FAO, 1993).

Following the 1995 study and the rehabilitation of the Qandala system in July 1997, SAWA submitted a proposal for a andldquoRehabilitation Programme for Water Supply Systems in small towns and urban centres in the Ban Region of Somaliaandrdquoto the European Commission/Somalia Unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (OGIS) - The Netherlands. This proposal was approved by both organisations together in November 1997. The Programmeandrsquos overall objective is the rehabilitation of the water supply system in 20 villages and small towns of Bari Region, during a period of almost two years, starting with first five and then ten villages proposed by the Regional Authority and Elders. From October 28 - November 8 SAWA and SPDS held several discussions with the Bari Regional Authority and several Village Water Committees about the institutional setup of the Programme. A Preparation Mission to Somalia, consisting of three persons took place in the period between November 23 and December l4th 1997.