The rich water shallow well

Waraqa-dhigta village in Lugahya district of Somaliland has an amazing shallow well. Constructed by World Vision in November 2015 and funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Development Cooperation, the shallow well is 18 meters deep and supports 220 households of about 1320 people and their animals every day.

Since the government of Somaliland declared a drought in July 2015, 80 per cent of animals have died and most of the pastoralist migrated to other areas for water and pasture for their animals and for their basic needs. But during the drought, 60 more households joined the Waraqa-dhigta community to get water from the shallow well.

“We get clean water that our children and families can drink as we use it for cooking and washing whenever we need it. The shallow well is dug near the school and our children can now drink clean water where they are,’ says Muuse Shidde, the community chairman.

“We come here to drink this clean water during our break time, we play around here and we are happy to have this well near our school. Thank you World Vision for your support in ensuring that we have clean water,” says Ali, a 7-year-old pupil.

Ali, seven years old, enjoying clean water from the shallow well

Before the well was constructed, the community would travel several kilometers to get water.

“We used to travel for seven kilometers to and fro to get water to the nearest water point everyday. This was a challenge especially to our women and children as they were at times faced with security threats. We drank impure water that would affect our health, causing water borne diseases especially our children. But the problem has been solved as we now have clean water,” Says Hoos a 90 year old grandfather.

World Vision Somalia has implemented several water projects in Lughaya district, Somaliland in six communities with an aim to increase access and coverage of safe drinking water, improve positive behaviour change and reduce prevalnce of water borne diseases among the target population in Lughaya district.

Story By

Abdirahman Abdilahi Muse

WASH Communications coordinator