Dire Dawa Shares Key Lessons for Nature-Based Solutions in Arid Landscapes

In the second year of the SUNCASA project, which focuses on harnessing the power of nature to adapt to the impacts of climate change, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia's second-largest city, has already exceeded its agroforestry targets, restoring or revitalizing more than 550 ha of land and planting more than 500,000 trees. The 95 ha of established buffer zones have also exceeded targets. Experts who led or supported these efforts will be sharing critical lessons learned from the experience at an upcoming event.

A peer-learning event taking place from January 26 to 29 will convene partners from Dire Dawa, as well as Kigali (Rwanda) and Johannesburg (South Africa), to discuss early impacts in each city, long-term sustainability goals, and the potential scalability of SUNCASA’s nature-based solutions (NbS), which also promote gender equality and social inclusion. Hosted at the Sharaf Hotel, the event will open at 9:30 a.m. local time with remarks from the Mayor of Dire Dawa, H.E. Kedir Juhar. 

As the host city, Dire Dawa will spotlight the unique challenges of implementing NbS in arid and semi-arid environments. Experts from the Dire Dawa Administration, Haramaya University, and the Hararghe Catholic Secretariat will lead discussions on local constraints—including limited water availability, extreme temperatures, and shallow soils—while also highlighting the strategies that have enabled the city to achieve a remarkable 94% tree survival rate under these conditions. 

Held under the theme “Green Cities for People and Planet,” the event will focus on the opportunities and challenges shaping the project’s final year. Through peer-led discussions, technical exchanges, and site visits, partners will reflect on progress to date and explore how SUNCASA’s results, partnerships, and lessons can be leveraged to secure sustained political, institutional, and financial support for NbS as an inclusive pathway to climate-resilient urban development. 

“The Dire Dawa peer learning event marks an important step forward for SUNCASA, creating space not only to exchange best practices, but to reflect critically on what it takes to deliver lasting impact,” said Samantha Boardley, SUNCASA’s interim project lead and one of the event’s lead facilitators. 

Partners from Kigali will showcase strong progress in agroforestry, with 1,344 ha planted, alongside the expansion of urban green spaces where more than 108,000 trees had been planted by September 20, 2025. Discussions will also highlight innovative community engagement approaches, including student-led climate action initiatives, nursery creation to support parents involved in project activities, and measures to prevent gender-based violence at project sites.

From Johannesburg, participants will share lessons from efforts to restore the Jukskei River, including the removal of alien invasive species and debris, the establishment of buffer zones, and extensive urban tree planting. Partners will also present successful public engagement initiatives, such as environmental education activities in Alexandra Township and the “Art and Litter Traps” project, which transforms waste collected from the river into sculptures and functional litter traps to address flooding and pollution.

Launched in 2024, SUNCASA is a 3-year initiative developed and implemented in close collaboration with local organizations. Delivered by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) with funding from the Government of Canada, the project aims to strengthen climate resilience, promote gender equality and social inclusion, and protect biodiversity in urban communities across Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa. An estimated 2.2 million people living in climate-vulnerable areas benefit from this project.

SUNCASA’s 2nd Peer Learning Event

Where: Sharaf Hotel, 3000 Sabyian Sabian sub city, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Available Interviews
H.E. Kedir Juhar, Mayor of Dire Dawa City Administration
Benjamin Simmons, SUNCASA Senior Director, IISD
Aklilu Fikresilassie, Director, Thriving Resilient Cities, WRI Africa
Project scientists and community leads are available for interviews. (Please request in advance to confirm availability.)

 

Quotes

“In a short period of time, SUNCASA has shown what is possible when communities are placed at the centre of restoration. By restoring Dire Dawa's land, creating green jobs for women and youth, and protecting our natural habitats with more than a million trees, we are proving that environmental action can also strengthen livelihoods and well-being. We're pleased to share these lessons with other cities as part of this exchange.” 

—H.E. Kedir Juhar, Mayor of Dire Dawa

“What we are learning in Dire Dawa through SUNCASA has relevance far beyond this city. The results show how coordinated and locally led implementation of nature-based solutions (NbS) can be scaled and replicated in other climate-vulnerable cities facing water and land degradation challenges. Peer learning is an important platform for sharing these insights and more."

—Aklilu Fikresilassie, Regional Director for Cities, WRI Africa

“The Dire Dawa peer-learning event marks an important step forward for SUNCASA, creating space not only to exchange best practices, but to reflect critically on what it takes to deliver lasting impact. Anchored in site visits, peer-led dialogue, and technical exchange around the themes of (Re)Connect, Explore, Engage, and Sustain, the event will elevate city experiences while turning attention to sustainability and scale. At a time when expectations for nature-based solutions are higher than ever, this event invites partners to build trust, challenge norms, and explore how SUNCASA’s results, relationships, and lessons can extend far beyond the life of the project.”

—Samantha Boardley, IISD’s climate adaptation, PLE2 Lead Facilitator.

SUNCASA NbS Implementation Progress

• Afforestation - 244/565 ha (43%)  
• Agroforestry – 1,703/1,585 ha (107%)  
• Buffer zones – 660/974 ha (70%)  
• Reforestation – 68/494 ha (11%)  
• Urban greening – 134,669/ 143,500 trees planted (94%)  
• Invasive plant removal – 120/117.3 hectares cleared (78%)  
  
  *As of September 30, 2025  
   

For media inquiries, please contact:

Cesar Henrique Arrais, Senior Communications Officer, IISD, [email protected]
Eden Takele, Engagement & Communications Specialist, WRI Africa, [email protected]