The Dolo Ado district in Ethiopia’s Somali Region hosts over 200,000 refugees and local community members in one of East Africa’s most climate-vulnerable humanitarian zones. The area experiences repeated displacement, chronic water scarcity and escalating climate shocks. In 2023 alone, record breaking floods affected more than 1.5 million people across the region, overwhelming existing planning and response mechanisms.
Effective humanitarian action requires real-time data, predictive modelling and tools that can be used locally to test and coordinate interventions.
IWMI, in collaboration with UNHCR, WFP and Somali Region authorities, has developed the Dolo Ado Digital Twin is an interactive platform that simulates the region’s water systems, infrastructure networks and demographic dynamics in real-time. Users can explore “what-if” scenarios for flooding, drought or settlement growth, visualizing the potential impact on communities, infrastructure and resources.
UNHCR, WFP and Somali Region authorities.
