(ERGO) – Over 4,500 families displaced by ongoing fighting between Al-Shabaab and local militias in southern Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region are facing food and water shortages in Adalle district.
Regional officials say that the families have been arriving in villages on the outskirts of Adalle town for the last three weeks, creating a new humanitarian crisis as they lack access to basic services.
Adalle is a coastal town about 130 km up the coastline northeast of Mogadishu.
In late December, 375 families fled El-Muluq village after Al-Shabaab forces destroyed the water pump generator and sealed the main borehole, following fierce fighting with self-organised militias locally known as Ma’wisley.
According to officials, the Al-Shabaab group also burnt down houses in the village, which lies 45 km away from Adalle town. Those fleeing El-Muluq sought shelter in Adalle.
Sainab Ibrahim Gedi, a mother of four, told Radio Ergo that her house and restaurant in El-Muluq village were torched by Al-Shabaab militants prompting her displacement. She has built a Somali-style hut in the new location, where she lives without access to food and water.
Sainab sold two of her five goats to get food for the children but this would only last her family a couple of days.
“Prior to the [Al-Shabaab] attack, I used to operate a restaurant but after the attack, we ran for lives and left behind all our belongings which were burnt down,” she said.
Mohamed Omar Ali, a pastoralist, was living in a village some 25 km from El-Muluq village. Mohamed, who used to rely on water from El-Muluq village, fled with his family and settled near Adalle town.
He told Radio Ergo that he treks 30 km from where he lives now to get water.
“I had a donkey cart to fetch water but during the clashes between Al-Shabaab and the local militias, my donkey was injured by a stray bullet. Now five of my cattle have become very weak and are not able to walk to reach the borehole, so the only remaining option was for me to walk to fetch water for them. The family also has nothing to eat,” Mohamed said.
The rest of the displaced families waiting hopelessly in Adalle came from other conflict-affected villages around El-Muluq, including Dagaha-Wiley, Tubar, Turfo, Omane, Qura’a-Sumadale, Garas-Dagay, Biyo-Madawe, Kab’ad, Matano-Mog, Warajale, and Arabesle.
Abdullahi Ahmed Shidawe, the deputy governor of Middle Shabelle region, pledged that his administration would restore the borehole, but called for more help for the families affected.
“We are planning to help these families return to their villages and we also call on well-wishers to support the families who have no food and water,” Abdullahi said.
