Clean water for IDPs & host communities in Jowhar

by CEFA (European Committee for Agricultural Training) Kenya & Somalia

Project Report | Oct 11, 2024
Clean water and food access in Jowhar, what has been achieved?

By Rose Wanyiri | Project Manager

Bulo Waray Village, Surface Wells Rehabilitation

The Water Resources for Resilient, Equal and Autonomous Communities (RICREA) project, implemented from August 2023 to August 2024, aimed to strengthen the resilience of communities in Hirshabelle state and specifically in the Middle Shabelle region, Jowhar district in the face of climate change and the humanitarian crisis that Somalia is now facing. Funded by the Italian Agency for Cooperation Development (AICS), the project was a collaboration between CEFA and the local partner Shabelle Relief and Development Initiatives (SHARDI). Its core objective was to support sustainable economic development through improved agricultural practices, equitable access to livelihoods, and enhanced water management in the region, focusing on both Agriculture and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sectors.

At the outset, communities in Hirshabelle, particularly displaced and host populations, were severely impacted by the unpredictable and changing climate, evidenced by recurring floods linked to El Niño. Households were vulnerable, with limited access to clean water, food insecurity, and diminished agricultural productivity. The baseline surveys conducted at the onset of the project implementation, mainly consisting of household surveys, highlighted the immediate needs especially of hosting communities and displaced population for water resource management and resilient agricultural practices to help these communities withstand climate shocks.

RICREA delivered substantial results that not only addressed the immediate vulnerabilities but also contributed to long-term resilience:

Water Access and Management: Rehabilitation of 5 shallow wells, benefiting 2,380 households with increased access to drinking water, and upgrading 8.18 km of irrigation canals, enabling irrigation of 644.3 hectares and benefiting 1,138 households.
Community Empowerment: Creation and training of 8 Water User Associations (WUAs) to manage rehabilitated wells and canals, promoting local ownership and sustainability.
Sanitation and Hygiene: Construction of 3 blocks of ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines in schools and IDP camps, and training 2,426 people on hygiene practices and disease prevention.
Agriculture Support: Provision of ploughing services for 400 farmers over 400 hectares for two seasons, alongside agricultural inputs for sesame and maize production. Farmers were linked to a private buyer, Al-Ashraf International Group, through contract farming.
Nutrition and Women's Empowerment: Training of 250 women on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA), and the distribution of NSA kits with vegetable seeds. Additionally, 8 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), composed of 15 women each, were established and trained on savings and loan mechanisms.

These interventions provided both immediate relief and set the foundation for long-term adaptation to climate challenges, increasing the resilience of local communities against future droughts, floods, and food insecurity.

Construction of sanitation facilities, Daryeel

NSA Kit Distribution

Distribution of hygiene kits, Raqeyle Village

Shamiinto Canal Works

Nukay Village, Surface Wells Rehabilitation

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Jun 17, 2024
Building Hope: Advancements in Water and Sanitation Project for Somali communities

By Rose Wanyiri | Project Manager

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Jowhar!

We want to express our profound appreciation for your generous contribution to the initiative "Clean Water for IDPs and host communities in Jowhar". We are thrilled to provide you with some promising developments in our journey.

Between February and June 2024, we made significant strides in our efforts. Despite the obstacles we have encountered, we remain resolute in our commitment to advancing this inspiring project. Your ongoing support is indispensable to ensure the project successful execution.

Surface Wells Construction for IDPs and Host Communities

In recent months, the CEFA team has worked diligently on the construction and rehabilitation of three surface wells in the villages of Halgan and Nukay. With the support of engineers, builders, and the entire community, we have succeeded in this endeavor. Three wells powered by solar energy were constructed, each with an elevated platform and a water tank, along with the establishment of water collection points. Through this initiative, we have brought water sources closer to approximately 250 Somali households, who previously had to walk kilometers to fetch water for their families.

Construction of Sanitation Facilities for Students

At Bulo Waray School, before CEFA's intervention, the toilets for students were all damaged by wear and rain, making them unusable. Over the past few months, we have worked to provide two toilets for boys, two for girls, and an additional one accessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, the toilets are equipped with a water tank and a pump. This way, students can have greater privacy, and the risk of transmission of waterborne diseases has been significantly reduced, creating a safer and healthier environment.

We are proud of our achievements and the support we are providing to the families of Jowhar, but none of this would be possible without you. Please continue to support us and promote better access to safe and clean water for the families and students of Jowhar!

Warm regards,

Rose Wanyiri

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Feb 22, 2024
Laying the Groundwork for Safer and Cleaner Water

By Rose Wanyiri | Project Manager

Community meeting for the surface well assessment

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Jowhar!

In our inaugural report, we are delighted to share with you some updates on our initiative, "Clean Water for IDPs & Host Communities in Jowhar," which aims to address the pressing need for water security in the Middle Shabelle region. The area is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by prolonged droughts and frequent flooding, disproportionately affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local communities in the Jowhar District. This crisis has led to a sharp increase in waterborne diseases and the contamination of surface wells, posing significant challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations. Moreover, rural areas of Jowhar face a sanitation crisis, as evidenced by the lack of water access and proper toilet facilities in almost all schools. This deficiency not only endangers students' health but also undermines their educational participation, especially for girls.

Our project seeks to address these issues through comprehensive interventions, including the rehabilitation of sanitation and water services, alongside community empowerment initiatives to ensure the sustainable management and maintenance of these essential resources.

Surface Wells Construction for IDPs and Host Communities

Rehabilitation and construction are planned for three surface wells across two villages and one IDP camp in Jowhar. In recent months, following the accessibility of roads after El Niño, CEFA conducted a preliminary technical assessment of the sites to establish the feasibility of subsequent rehabilitation works. Key features, challenges, and needs were identified during this phase, informing the planned rehabilitation work, which includes excavation, well protection, installation of a solar-powered pumping system, construction of an elevated platform and tank, and the establishment of water collection points. The works are now ready to commence, and they will enhance water availability for approximately 250 Somali households.

Construction of Sanitation Facilities for Students

Technical feasibility studies, surveys, and detailed designs have been conducted in recent months for one primary school that is in urgent need of sanitation facilities. The works are set to commence soon, providing a total of 2 toilets for girls, 2 for boys, and one accessible toilet for people with disabilities, equipped with a water tank and a pump.

Please continue to support us to help us realize this project and provide 250 Somali families and 150 students with access to clean and safe water!

Warm regards,

Rose Wanyiri

Community meeting for the surface well assessment

Primary school toilets assessment

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