(ERGO):- Up to 500 pastoralist families have been displaced by water and food scarcity from the rural areas of Mudug region this month.
The families are heading to Haro village, 160 km from Galkayo, attracted by the availability of water there and the prospect of aid distributions.
Hinda Hashi Omar came to Haro from Afgadudle, 50 km away. As there was no transport available, she and her seven children trekked for two days and nights, stopping frequently for the children to rest.
She carried nothing with her and they got food from families along the way. Ten of her goats died of exhaustion on the way 10. In Haro, she has put up a hut made of cardboard and plastic bags in one of the displacement camps, and is hoping her remaining 20 goats will regain some strength.
Farhan Ahmed Geddi, vice-commissioner of Haro district, told Radio Ergo the NGO, CESVI, had given $50 in cash to 100 of the most vulnerable families, whilst ADESO had given food aid to these families who lost their livestock.
However, he confirmed that the food was scarce and the needs were mounting. He said the newest families to arrive had not received any aid, but locals had helped them with water and food.
“As the local authority that is all we can do and pass their message across so that they can get necessary help,” he said.
Some families have put up small huts while others sleep under trees. Mohamud Osman and his family of 11 sleep under the trees. He was displaced from Qalanqalle, 36 km from Haro. He only has nine goats left after losing 291 in the drought. He just slaughtered one of the weakest goats, as he was worried that the children might starve.
People have been migrating from Garday, Laso-eyr, Qalanqalle, Elyale, Afgadudle and Lasano, where the drought has been harsh and the water sources have all dried up.
