Building community-based systems maps in Somalia

Droughts in Somalia lead to severe consequences, including crop failures, livestock deaths, and water shortages, which result in food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition. In 2022, droughts caused an estimated 43,000 deaths, half of which were children under 5. This project aimed to identify key climate and health dynamics using Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) and develop a quantitative System Dynamics (SD) model to understand sector interconnections. The SD model reflects complex relationships and feedback loops, informing scenario analysis and policy recommendations to mitigate drought impacts. The analysis highlights the economic viability of proposed interventions, with a significant Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR) of 4.57, emphasizing the importance of simultaneous implementation. Lessons learned underscore the value of active participatory engagement and the identification of leverage points for targeted interventions.