From the end of February 2016 to August 2016, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), implemented the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)-funded project, titled, “Provision of Emergency WASH Services to Communities most Affected by Drought in Puntland and Somaliland”. The project was implemented as part of the CERF Rapid Response to the drought situation in northern Somalia which was exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.  Through this project, IOM provided sustainable access to safe water for drought-affected communities through the rehabilitation of 11 strategic boreholes in Puntland and Somaliland. In addition, IOM distributed water vouchers to 96,594 beneficiaries and hygiene kits to 66,990 beneficiaries.

Kalawle II is one of the strategic boreholes that IOM rehabilitated as part of the project.   Kalawle II is located in the Lughaya district of the Awdal region of Somaliland. It acts as the only source of water for approximately 3,000 households, 3,000 camels and 5,000 sheep and goats.   In addition there are hundreds of families who have been displaced by the drought with their livestock that also use the borehole. IOM commenced rehabilitation of the Kalawle II borehole in February 2016 as the borehole was not functioning well and a very limited number of people per day were able to extract water from it. This was due to rusted pipes and water pumps, and an old engine.

Through CERF funding and in partnership with the Ministry of Water Resources of Somaliland, IOM replaced the rusted water pipes, pumps and engine.  In addition to this, IOM rehabilitated animal troughs, the water tank and kiosk to ensure proper water storage and a place for animals to drink water. The rehabilitation was completed in early May 2016 when the drought was at its peak. As a result of this project, thousands of people and livestock were provided with safe water.

Mohamed Dahir, one of the project beneficiaries who uses the Kalawle II borehole, spoke to the project staff during a monitoring visit after completion of the rehabilitation work. “I have been getting water from this borehole for the last five years. It used to supply water only to a few people the whole day because a lot of water used to get lost as the pipes were rusted and leaking water while the pump and the engine were too old to raise water from the borehole. Now, I am happy to say that the borehole is able to supply water to whoever comes and their livestock,” explained Mohamed.

For more information, contact Dr. Omar Abdikadir Ismail, Programme Assistant, Migration Health Division (MHD), IOM Somalia, Tel: +252 63 4702323, Email: aiomar@iom.int