Clean and safe water is the key to life​

Access to clean and safe water is recognized by the United Nations as a human right, reflecting the fundamental nature of these basics in every person’s life. The World Health Organization defines the minimum water supply for each person as 20 litres of water per person per day. But in the community that we help, clean and safe water is a luxury. ​

The water sector remains one of the least developed sectors in the Nugaal Region of Puntland State of Somalia. Water scarcity is critical and significantly impacts the economy of the region and its household livelihood options. Nugaal has an average annual rainfall of 400mm, but when and where the rain falls varies in a given year. This uncertainty makes any agricultural activity difficult, which leads to mobile livestock production (such as the rearing of cattle and goats) being the pre-dominant form of livelihood. 

The latest estimates suggest that less than one third of the total population has access to a clean, sustainable water source. Women and children travel more than 3km to fetch water and cannot carry the required volume every day. Rural communities in Nugaal try to cope with water shortages by minimizing their water usage.

Access to clean water will improve:

-Health : Contaminated water will lead to water-related disease such as diarrhoea. Clean water will result in better health.

-Education : When children no longer need to collect water, they have more time to go to school and focus on their education.

-Economy : Access to clean water will reduce healthcare costs. Most of the community in Nugaal are pastoralists, and clean water will result in a healthier livestock.

-Hunger : Adequate water supply will lead to better food security as farming activities can continue.

INTERVENTION

-To build a water complex complete with water tanks, water distribution areas, a solar panel system, a generator house, and a drinking area for livestock that will provide clean and safe water for 5,000 people in the Nugaal region. 

Now let's meet Salalo​

This is a photo of Salalo, 12, with her 9-year-old sister walking towards the animal drinking area together with her 30 cows in Balcad, Middle Syabelle, Somalia. Her face looks nonchalant: showing no sign of tiredness or giving up. She walks up to 20 kilometers daily to bring her livestock to the nearest water sources.

“We need to walk this far just to get water for our cows, which are our only source of income,” said Salalo. The area of Balcad has been in draught since 2016 and the lack of water has been threatening the livelihood and very existence of the community.

Fortunately, Salalo and her community now have better access to clean water. Thanks to donors like you, Islamic Relief Malaysia managed to build 2 water complexes that will provide clean water to 13,000 people in Balcad for the next 30 years.

Now, Salalo only needs to walk 5 kilometers a day to get clean water. She can spend the rest of her day focusing on her studies as she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

Behind every number, there is a story like Salalo's.

Support us to provide more children like Salalo with clean and safe water.

* Please be informed that Islamic Relief Malaysia is in the midst of renewing our Tax Exemption status. Hence, all donations are not eligible for Tax Exemption receipt. We appreciate your continuous support and apologise for any inconvenience caused.