Terms of Reference (ToR) Assessment and feasibility study on improving and retrofitting drainage systems, housing structures and pit latrines for flood resilience in Karaan, Wadajir, and Yaqshiid districts of Banadir

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Assessment and feasibility study on improving and retrofitting drainage systems, housing structures and pit

latrines for flood resilience in Karaan, Wadajir, and Yaqshiid districts of Banadir.

1. Background

Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Solutions Somalia (CRESS) is a 5-year (1st January 2023 to 31st December 2027) livelihoods (green graduation) focused programme funded by Irish Aid and implemented in partnership with YouthLink. The overall goal is to provide inclusive climate resilient and environmentally sustainable livelihood opportunities to vulnerable populations in Yaqshiid, Wadajir and Karan districts in Banadir region. The programme works with the marginalized population groups (mainly women and youth) to address the specific barriers that they face moving out of extreme poverty -low household income, poor livelihood option, limited capacity to accumulate savings, and a lack of social networks. To improve this, the programme employs four main pillars: social promotion, livelihood promotion, financial inclusion and social empowerment as comprehensive and sequenced packages of support over a fixed period.

The context in which the Green Graduation programme is implemented is in informal semi-slum urban settlements in Karaan, Wadajir, and Yaqshiid districts in Banadir, which host extremely marginalized urban poor communities. Poverty in the region is more pronounced, with women and youth being disproportionately affected. In the urban context, air quality is poor due to an overreliance on charcoal and inefficient wood burn stoves. Climate change exacerbates the risk of flash flooding resulting in outbreaks of various water-borne diseases. The poor are disproportionately affected by climate risks such as sea waves due to strong winds resulting in disruption to fishing, loss of income, lives and assets (fishing boats and other equipment) during windy seasons.

Because the poor are more exposed and sensitive to such impacts and generally have lower capacity and fewer resources with which to adapt, they are more vulnerable to climate change. Their vulnerability makes them less resilient to the impacts of climate change. Supporting the inclusion of the poor in planning and implementing adaptation actions and ensuring that a greater share of adaptation funding reaches local communities can improve their readiness to adapt to climate change and reduce poverty. The programme conducted Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA) in the target communities. This identified Climate related risks faced by the community and developed Community Adaptation Action Plans. The plan outlines the community’s priorities and actionable activities to mitigate climate change risks in their communities which are scheduled for implementation for 2025.

Urban Flooding represents a significant problem in developing urban areas caused by inadequate storm drainage systems, increased impervious surface areas, and climate change. Overall, flooding locations and magnitude need to be identified, and drainage systems that fail to safely convey surface runoff at baseline conditions, implying that future flooding will be more intense. As a result, selected mitigation strategies should be considered to alleviate the flooding risks that disrupt the socio-economic environment and the resulting significant property and life losses in Karaan, Wadajir, and Yaqshiid districts in Banadir.

Highly efficient methods are needed to mitigate negative impacts of urban storms such as flooded roads and damage to properties and infrastructures. A rehabilitation approach based on resiliency is proposed in this paper for urban drainage systems using structural improvement of bottlenecks. The resilience-based approach enhances system capability to act very flexible against exceptional loads such as bridge/culvert blockage during the floods.

To strengthen the resilience of these urban communities in Banadir, YouthLink in partnership with Concern Worldwide under the CRESS project seeks the services of a qualified consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing drainage system, housing and sanitation infrastructure, identify and recommend measures for system and structural improvements and explore the economic, technical and environmental feasibility of the proposed measures. This process will conclude with an actionable drainage system, Solid Waste management and sanitation structural improvement plan for the selected area with possible contributions from community, municipal, and state-level authorities, whose implementation would enhance the overall resilience of target communities to future flooding.

2. Objectives

The primary aim of this assessment/feasibility study is to thoroughly analyze the current drainage infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and propose feasible solutions to enhance climate resilience in the target area

•       To evaluate the existing storm water drainage system’s condition, capacity, and impact on housing structures and environmental sanitation.

•       To propose practical and cost-effective solutions for improving the drainage, systems and environmental sanitation and solid waste structures.

3. Scope of Work

1.       Map and analyze existing conditions:

•       Land use and land cover: Maps of existing land use patterns, along with other flood information, can be used to identify vulnerable development that may be at risk. If historic land use information is also available, this may enable assessment of trends. (Source: National, State and regional planning offices can help with mapping of land uses. Historic aerial photography may be available at District offices.)

•       Infrastructure: Existing transportation, sewer, water, and drainage infrastructure support existing development. Mapping of these features can help the consultant to assess the extent to which this infrastructure is susceptible to flood damage and also whether it promotes flood-safe development patterns. (Source: National, State and regional planning offices can help with infrastructure mapping.)

•       Critical facilities and development: Critical development is that which is critical to the community’s public health and safety; is essential to the orderly functioning of a community; solid waste materials; or house[s] occupants that may be insufficiently mobile to avoid loss of life or injury. Examples of critical development include health facilities, schools, public and private utilities, water and sanitation facilities and other public equipment storage facilities.

•       Vulnerability assessment: Hazard identification and risk assessment information in the Banadir/Mogadishu Hazard Mitigation Plan can inform the planning process. Of particular interest is the identification and quantification of community assets that are vulnerable to flooding and other hazards.

2.       Drainage System Assessment:

•       Review of existing maps, technical reports, Environment Impact Assessments and other relevant documents from various sources, i.e. government ministries/institutions, UN Agencies, NGOs, and other data sources.

•       Map the existing drainage infrastructure, including channels, culverts, and outlets.

•       Identify areas of storm water flooding, water stagnation

•       Analyze the causes of inefficiencies (e.g., blockages, poor design, lack of maintenance).

•       Assess the environmental and social impacts of the current drainage system.

•       Examine pit latrines for hygiene, stability, and capacity issues.

•       Prepare geotechnical design criteria and advise in measure to ensure stability of drainage channels/embankments and of structures.

•       Recommend for (earthen) design loading on structures, particularly for retaining walls or drainage channels embankements

3.       Feasibility Analysis:

•       Propose viable technical solutions for strengthening and rehabilitating identified drainage and sanitation structures.

•       Recommend improvements to drainage systems to prevent future damage.

•       Formulation of the optimum drainage system improvement plan for the selected area, including preliminary design of the required facilities, cost estimation and preparation of the implementation schedule.

•       Evaluate the feasibility of proposed interventions in terms of cost, materials, local expertise, and environmental considerations.

4.       Stakeholder Engagement:

•       Public engagement is essential for developing an effective comprehensive plan. The Consultant will solicit the knowledge, insights, and recommendations of residents through surveys, interviews, public meetings, and discussion groups, and also at the public hearings required before adopting recommendations or a plan. These public engagement techniques will be used to survey residents about the issues that concern them. There is also an educational component of this public engagement process, which includes opportunities for raising awareness about existing conditions, such as the threat of flooding, solid waste management and latrines conditions.

•       Participants who review community maps and data can attain a better understanding of the interconnected issues addressed by the comprehensive plan. This helps to build community support for implementation of the flood resiliency recommendations.

•       If there has not been a recent flood event, flooding will probably not be part of the recent collective consciousness and thus may not be mentioned by residents during the public engagement process.

•       However, the lack of flood-related responses to community surveys does not mean that residents are not concerned about safety and property protection. Consult with local authorities, community members, and technical experts.

•       Incorporate community feedback into proposed solutions.

4. Expected Outputs

The main outputs will include: i) technical appraisals of the selected subprojects, including data collection, surveys, studies, modernization, engineering design, management and operation and maintenance (O&M) aspects; (ii) relevant requirements to prepare social and

gender assessments; (iii)risk assessments, and (iv) social and environmental safeguards reporting.

When developing recommendations for how to improve safety and flood resilience, the community should aim high by thinking beyond the usual solutions. The goals should be derived from the data collected and the priorities articulated by residents. When considering how to integrate flood resiliency with other community goals, consider if there are high risk areas that simply should not be developed, no matter how resilient the structures. Are there recreational needs that are compatible with the flood risks in those areas? What can be done to protect existing development in the floodplain or near streams? Can improved safety and reduced flood damage be achieved with public education and technical assistance?

5. Deliverables

The consultant/firm shall produce the following:

1.       Inception Report: A detailed work plan, methodology, and timeline.

2.       Assessment Report: Findings on the current state of drainage, solid waste management and pit latrines. Maps to include streams, floodplains, and other hazard information on maps that are distributed to

residents or available at public meetings. Without this information, people may forget that those areas are prone to flooding. Also include historic flood photographs: Photographs of past floods or visualization tools showing possible future floods can help people to visualize the potential risks.

3.       Feasibility Report: Proposed solutions with cost estimates, timelines, and implementation strategies. The comprehensive plan should recommend actions that are affordable and within the capabilities of the community to implement directly or with minimal external support.

4.       Drainage system improvement plan for the selected area, including preliminary design of the required facilities, cost estimation and preparation of the implementation schedule.

5.       Presentation of Findings: Summary presentation to stakeholders for validation and feedback.

6. Methodology

•       Desk review of existing documentation, Maps, policies, and designs.

•       Review options for improving safety by revising development standards, improving emergency services, catchments restoration, public education, and other means.

•       Field assessments, including surveys, interviews, and inspections. The surveys should ask residents about the issues that concern them. Include questions in the resident survey, by asking how the risks can be addressed, including about various strategies for protecting infrastructure investments from future flood damage.

•       Use of relevant engineering and environmental assessment tools.

7. Timeline

The study should be completed within 3 weeks from the date of contract signing.

Expertise Required

The selected consultant/firm should have expertise in:

•       Civil engineering, with a focus on drainage and structural rehabilitation.

•       Expertise in hydrogeology

•       Environmental science and sanitation systems.

•       Community engagement and participatory planning.

9. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant/firm will report to YouthLink Programme Manager/his designate and liaise closely with stakeholders ranging from community representatives and local authorities.

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

•       A technical proposal outlining their approach and methodology.

•       A financial proposal, including a breakdown of costs.

•       Relevant qualifications and experience.

All applicants should be sent electronically to: procurement@youthlink.sowith subject line: CONSULTANCY

Assessment and feasibility study on improving and retrofitting drainage systems, housing structures and pit latrines for flood resilience in Karaan, Wadajir, and Yaqshiid districts of Banadir. The submission of technical and financial proposals closes on 8th June 2025