I have read an article published by Goobjoog News where United Nations OCHA Somalia says dry spell may worsen humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The report further says the UN OCHA and aid agencies have already seen pastoralist communities migrating from rural villages to urban areas in search of food, day labor or to join relatives. But the question is what aid agencies and Somali authorities have been doing since after 2016/2017 droughts? Well, some may say: restocking of livestock, feeding families, giving shelter to IDPs and distribution of farming inputs.
Good, but are they sustainable solutions to the recurrent famine and droughts? Obviously “NO”. Dealing with the effects but not with the causes is never a solution. I’m not a humanitarian expert but as a concerned citizen, I see something isn’t adding up here.
After all these millions spent for livestock restocking and distributing: food, farm inputs and plastic sheets etc, yet people are still vulnerable and are not resilient to environmental shocks that are always in the forecast.
While doing all of these to help drought-affected communities, why don’t we try to find out sustainable solutions? I’ve farming and herding experience, I found myself growing up in the farm of my family. So, I have a sentimental attachment to farming and herding.
By the way, agriculture and livestock are the backbones of our economy, and both of them are vulnerable to climate and environmental shocks like rainfall-shortage. Dry seasons agri-and-livestock communities face harsh situations that later turn into droughts, so livestock restocking isn't the solution!
Despite recurrent droughts caused by rainfall-shortages yet I don't believe Somalia lacks water sources as it has Africa's longest coastline and two rivers crisscrossing many parts of the country, unfortunately getting water to people, livestock and farming lands remain a challenge.
So, what is the way out? Since the problem is rainfall-shortage and water scarcity, then the solution should be getting sustainable irrigation, and I think this is where investing in ‘solar irrigation system’ & ‘solar-powered desalination’ becomes necessary. Why?
Currently, the majority of Somali agricultural communities fled from their farms because they were rainfall dependents & now they're unable to afford the upfront cost of diesel generators, well pumps and the ongoing cost of fuels. So this option of solar irrigation is cost-effective, sustainable, environmentally friendly, Somalia is always sunny, and it is technically viable. Every five farms can effectively use one system powered by solar technologies. Furthermore, water generated by the solar can be household and livestock water use as well.
During rainy seasons, farmers and families will be able to effectively utilize rainwater and solar powered ones during dry and rainfall shortage seasons. If you want to know more about how it works, SunCulture Kenya is currently doing it in Kenya. Read here: https://on.ft.com/2ftUs11
https://on.ft.com/2ftUs11
If we come together, critically think and utilize our resources wisely, we can easily turn the hot sun that's hitting the heads of drought-affected communities into sustainable solutions to their problems.
That is the solution for the water shortage, recurrent droughts and many more challenges faced by Somalia pastoralist communities. What about IDPs resettlement and durable solutions to the drought-affected IDPs and returnees? The answer is: the president, the PM, and other government leaders should come together and provide LAND to the internally displaced people and returnees, and the rest of local and international NGOs should provide the basic services like clean water, sanitation lines and education to those people. Period!
Good, but are they sustainable solutions to the recurrent famine and droughts? Obviously “NO”. Dealing with the effects but not with the causes is never a solution. I’m not a humanitarian expert but as a concerned citizen, I see something isn’t adding up here.
After all these millions spent for livestock restocking and distributing: food, farm inputs and plastic sheets etc, yet people are still vulnerable and are not resilient to environmental shocks that are always in the forecast.
While doing all of these to help drought-affected communities, why don’t we try to find out sustainable solutions? I’ve farming and herding experience, I found myself growing up in the farm of my family. So, I have a sentimental attachment to farming and herding.
By the way, agriculture and livestock are the backbones of our economy, and both of them are vulnerable to climate and environmental shocks like rainfall-shortage. Dry seasons agri-and-livestock communities face harsh situations that later turn into droughts, so livestock restocking isn't the solution!
Despite recurrent droughts caused by rainfall-shortages yet I don't believe Somalia lacks water sources as it has Africa's longest coastline and two rivers crisscrossing many parts of the country, unfortunately getting water to people, livestock and farming lands remain a challenge.
So, what is the way out? Since the problem is rainfall-shortage and water scarcity, then the solution should be getting sustainable irrigation, and I think this is where investing in ‘solar irrigation system’ & ‘solar-powered desalination’ becomes necessary. Why?
Currently, the majority of Somali agricultural communities fled from their farms because they were rainfall dependents & now they're unable to afford the upfront cost of diesel generators, well pumps and the ongoing cost of fuels. So this option of solar irrigation is cost-effective, sustainable, environmentally friendly, Somalia is always sunny, and it is technically viable. Every five farms can effectively use one system powered by solar technologies. Furthermore, water generated by the solar can be household and livestock water use as well.
During rainy seasons, farmers and families will be able to effectively utilize rainwater and solar powered ones during dry and rainfall shortage seasons. If you want to know more about how it works, SunCulture Kenya is currently doing it in Kenya. Read here: https://on.ft.com/2ftUs11
https://on.ft.com/2ftUs11
If we come together, critically think and utilize our resources wisely, we can easily turn the hot sun that's hitting the heads of drought-affected communities into sustainable solutions to their problems.
That is the solution for the water shortage, recurrent droughts and many more challenges faced by Somalia pastoralist communities. What about IDPs resettlement and durable solutions to the drought-affected IDPs and returnees? The answer is: the president, the PM, and other government leaders should come together and provide LAND to the internally displaced people and returnees, and the rest of local and international NGOs should provide the basic services like clean water, sanitation lines and education to those people. Period!
strongly agree
ReplyDeleteMaking restocking or reserving is not enoough both Somali pastoralists and farmers but the only sustainable way is to know what brought about the death of human, Animals, crops fail and other humanitarian situation while their sides and uderfeets are water. If we use our resources wisely no one will not look for basic things.
ReplyDelete