Project description: Cash assistance for the needy, rehabilitation of cisterns (so-called Berkeds), training of hygiene promoters, and construction of crescent structures.
Project partners: Tearfund Germany and Tearfund Team Somalia.
Project locations: Somalia: 5 village communities in the districts of Salahley and Sabawanaag in the Hawd region of Somaliland
Target groups: 3,600 households affected by drought, comprising 21,600 family members
Project period: January 1 to December 31, 2023
Project budget: € 125.520
In 2023, Somalia experienced its worst drought in years. 4.3 million people were acutely threatened by hunger. To mitigate the consequences, the project supported various activities such as providing cash assistance to those in need, rehabilitating cisterns, training hygiene workers, and constructing semicircular structures for water-saving crop cultivation. This was achieved through training and active support for local people and village communities. Developing risk management plans for these communities was crucial.
The villagers had to be prepared to cope with the emergency situation caused by the drought and the shortages of supplies, and supported in the practical implementation of crisis plans. The project staff explained these plans in the villagers' language and with diagrams that everyone could understand. This included, for example, legal requirements and new methods of storing animal feed.
Furthermore, the project trained four community hygiene officers and 70 volunteers from the villages to raise awareness among the village population about hygiene measures, especially during the water-scarce dry season. Crucially, we also had seven large [unclear - possibly referring to a specific group or organization].
They were able to repair cisterns as water reservoirs and hand them over to the communities, so that they can now cope much better with periods of drought.
Mhamed Ali Dahir: Salahley, Maroodi-Jeex in December 2023
Abdi, a father of six, has lived in the village of Qool-Caday for over 30 years. A severe drought ten years ago, exacerbated by climate change, left him impoverished and with no income. He struggled daily to survive as a day laborer and to support his family. Abdi was able to help with the construction of the semicircular causeways in his village. This was a great help not only to him and his family but also contributed to environmental protection and livestock farming. The work provided him with a regular income, which was essential for his family to buy food. Abdi was very grateful for the support and the opportunity to earn money through his work.
Hussein AdanSalahley, Balimataan, December 2023
Hussein Adan has lived in Balimataan since birth. He now has four children. He was selected by the local committee to be responsible for hygiene and sanitation initiatives and has learned a great deal through Tearfund's training. He now shares his knowledge in the community, visiting homes and answering questions about hygiene and sanitation. For the past few months, he has been organizing a community meeting every Thursday to further raise awareness about hygiene among the villagers. Through this work, he earns the equivalent of 80 euros a month, which allows him to buy food for his family. Hussein thanked Tearfund for their support and hopes that his community will soon be able to launch new initiatives.
