Siddiiq Cubayd

As the General Manager of the Hargeisa Water Agency, I warmly welcome the recent statement by @gidonsaar Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs expressing interest in supporting improvements to Somaliland's water infrastructure. The Hargeisa Water Agency is a robust, institutionally capable government agency, staffed by highly skilled professionals who have already delivered significant milestones toward achieving water sustainability for Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. We have successfully collaborated with international partners on major initiatives, including: - The Hargeisa Water Supply & Basic Sanitation Project, financed by the German Development Bank (KfW) with a project budget of EUR 23.5 million, which has already provided access to drinking water to more than 30,000 households in Hargeisa and is expected to increase this number by another 40,000 households by February of this year, enhancing distribution networks and sanitation access. - The upcoming Climate Resilient Drinking Water Management for Hargeisa project, also financed by the German Development Bank (KfW) with a project budget of EUR 18 million, further strengthening the city's water infrastructure. In addition to these valued international collaborations, the Hargeisa Water Agency—through sheer commitment and local initiative—has independently constructed and financed the Kalqoray Dam, the largest dam in Somaliland. With a capacity of up to 1.8 million cubic meters (equivalent to approximately 9 million barrels of water), this rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge project addresses the limitations of relying solely on underground reserves for a rapidly expanding city like Hargeisa. It can sustain the population through extended dry periods, marking a bold step in our pursuit of long-term water security. We greatly admire Israel's world-renowned technical expertise and innovative water solutions, which have been successfully implemented in numerous countries facing similar challenges. The Hargeisa Water Agency stands ready as a proven and committed partner to transform such visionary technologies into tangible realities for our city and the country. We eagerly anticipate the future opportunities for collaboration between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel, with water infrastructure serving as an excellent and impactful starting point.