International Coastal Cleanup Day – Hamarweyne Beach, Mogadishu (September 2024)
In commemoration of International Coastal Cleanup Day, observed globally every September, Action for Environment (A4E) led a large-scale environmental action campaign on Hamarweyne Beach in Mogadishu. The initiative, held in September 2024, was a powerful demonstration of community solidarity and environmental stewardship aimed at tackling the growing threat of marine pollution along Somalia’s coastline.
The cleanup event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and the Mogadishu Municipality Waste Management Company, ensuring that the operation was both logistically efficient and institutionally supported. The campaign drew the participation of:
Over 200 volunteers, including students, civil society groups, women-led initiatives, youth environmental clubs, and private sector representatives , Local authorities and MoECC officials, who supported awareness activities and led policy discussions with the community.
Beach vendors and fishermen, who provided insights into the daily impact of pollution on their livelihoods.
Volunteers were divided into teams and assigned zones along Hamarweyne Beach. Equipped with safety gear and cleanup tools, they worked collectively to remove a wide range of marine and land-based waste, including:
Plastic bags, bottles, straws, and wrappers.
Abandoned fishing nets and ropes.
Metal scraps and construction debris.
Organic waste and packaging materials.
By the end of the campaign, over three truckloads of marine litter were collected and transported for safe disposal by municipal waste services, drastically improving the beach’s health and appearance.
In parallel with the cleanup, educational materials—including leaflets, posters, and brochures—were distributed to beachgoers, local businesses, and passersby. These materials focused on:
The dangers of marine pollution to ecosystems, health, and livelihoods.
Practical tips on waste reduction and responsible plastic use.
Calls to action for ongoing community involvement in conservation.
Awareness and Engagement
The event served not only as a cleanup but also as a public engagement platform. Short awareness sessions were held on-site to educate attendees about the global importance of International Coastal Cleanup Day and Somalia’s growing vulnerability to ocean pollution, especially in urban coastal areas like Mogadishu.
Volunteers were encouraged to share their reflections through an “Ocean Pledge Board,” where they wrote commitments such as “I will never litter the ocean,” “I will reuse and recycle,” and “I will protect marine life.” This activity helped personalize environmental action and created a memorable, emotional connection between participants and the ocean.
Impact and Future Outlook
The Hamarweyne Beach cleanup marked a major success in A4E’s 2024 campaign to promote marine conservation and waste management awareness. Key outcomes included:
Removal of significant quantities of waste, protecting marine biodiversity and beach aesthetics.
Strengthened collaboration between government, civil society, and private stakeholders.
Increased community awareness and behavioral change, particularly among youth.
A renewed push for local waste policy enforcement and sustainable plastic use practices.
The campaign echoed the message that marine protection is not the sole responsibility of institutions—it’s a shared duty of every citizen. Events like this reinforce the importance of grassroots involvement in climate resilience and environmental health.
Conclusion
International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 at Hamarweyne Beach served as both a practical intervention and an inspirational milestone in Somalia’s journey toward coastal restoration. It reminded all involved that small, consistent actions—when multiplied by hundreds of hands—can lead to massive environmental transformation.
As part of its ongoing mission, A4E is committed to:
Scaling up coastal cleanup efforts across other vulnerable beaches in Somalia.
Integrating environmental education into schools and community centers.
Supporting long-term solutions through recycling programs, waste infrastructure, and policy dialogue.
Together, we can protect our oceans—because a clean coast means a clean future.
