A severe water shortage is exacting its toll on human health in a rural part of Lower Juba, where 10 children are reported to have died from measles among a pastoralist community weakened by the drought.
The measles outbreak was reported to Radio Ergo by a local listener, Abdullahi Hassan Nur, in Hagar village, who sent a message to the Ergo newsroom using the Freedom Fone mobile phone feedback service.
Hagar is 55 km North of Afmadow district, Lower Juba region. Radio Ergo’s Fowzia Omar called Nur back from Nairobi and interviewed him by phone. Nur, a pastoralist himself, began by describing the current situation in the area.
Nur: There is a severe water shortage in the area because we didn’t receive the Gu’ seasonal rains this year. Water pans where we used to fetch water have dried up, and as a result the situation is getting worse by the day.
Ergo: Where do you now get water from?
Nur: We buy the water we use. A barrel of water is selling at 100,000 Somali shillings.
Ergo: Where is water brought from to your village?
Nur: It is brought from Afmadow district.
Ergo: How long have you been experiencing this water shortage?
Nur: Since after the end of Ramadan [late July]. Livestock was moved to Kismayo area in search of water and pasture. The villagers are also experiencing health problems as we don’t have even a single clinic centre here.
Ergo: How many people live in Hagar now?
Nur: 5,600 people, who are mostly pastoralists.
Ergo: Are there any pastoralists whose animals have died?
Nur: Not yet. Pastoralists moved their livestock to areas where they could get water and pasture. But the remaining animals in the village are weak and thin. They don’t produce enough milk.
Ergo: Have any pastoralist families from rural areas arrived in your village?
Nur: Yes. About 200 families arrived in recent weeks, and they now live with their relatives.
Ergo: How is their living situation?
Nur: Their living situation is very bad. People are helping one another during this difficult period of time.
Ergo: What are your most urgent needs that need to be attended to?
Nur: Water, and health services.
Ergo: Is there any disease outbreak in the area?
Nur: Yes. There is a measles outbreak in the area. 10 children have so far died of the disease since last month [September]. We give the sick ones goat milk for treatment since we don’t have any health centre to take them to.
