Pastoralists in drought-stricken Laq-lajis village, 50 km south of Garowe, say they are facing an acute water shortage.
In an interview with Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Garowe, the provincial capital of Nugal in Puntland, one of the affected pastoralists in Laq-lajis, Abdirahman Hajji Awad, described the impact of the crisis:
Awad: There is severe drought in the area, it has not rained for the past two years and as a result, all water reserves have dried up. Some of the villagers moved with their livestock to other places in search of water. The only available water in the area is water brought in by tankers.
Ergo: What is the price of water available in the area?
Awad: A full tanker of water is selling at $300.
Ergo: Where does the water come from?
Awad: We receive it from Yonbeys village and other areas (…) about 30 to 35 km away.
Ergo: What caused water prices to go up?
Awad: It is because of the scarcity. A full tanker of water is selling at $300. Out of that, $200 is for the truck owners, and $100 for the water fetched.
Ergo: How do the locals afford this money?
Awad: The truck owners accepted to be paid later, after the drought season is over. But they asked us to pay for the petrol, which we do now, but we will find it hard to continue paying for it.
Ergo: What is the number of pastoralist families in your village?
Awad: There are about 130 families.
Ergo: You said four water tankers arrive every day. How is water distributed among the locals?
Awad: A committee was formed to distribute water among the locals; it makes sure the neediest families get water first. Every family gets some of the water supplied.
Ergo: Is there any aid you have received so far?
Awad: There was a time 10 water tankers came and distributed water in our village.
Ergo: What is the condition of the livestock?
Awad: Our animals are very weak due to the drought that has badly affected them. We hardly sell any these days because people won’t buy thin and weak animals. Both goats and camels are very thin and weak.
Ergo: Have you lost any animals to the drought?
Awad: Yes… I lost 30 goats to the drought. I now have 70 goats left.
Ergo: When did this happen?
Awad: During this month [September].
Ergo: What would you request now?
Awad: We are requesting for urgent water delivery. Both humans and livestock desperately need urgent water to survive.
