Somalia is currently experiencing its worst water scarcity in decades, driven by successive droughts and the ongoing climate crisis. According to a 2020 World Bank report, the availability of freshwater per person has sharply declined from 2,087 cubic meters in 1962 to just 411 cubic meters in 2017—well below the United Nations’ recommended minimum of 1,000 cubic meters per person. Additionally, 70% of Somalia’s rural population has limited access to safe drinking water, as highlighted in a February 2021 report by Save the Children.
The persistent decline in freshwater availability, compounded by recurring droughts, has intensified competition for water resources, frequently sparking conflicts in rural communities. While climate change plays a significant role in these water conflicts, the lack of effective community-based governance structures for water management and equitable access is a core underlying issue.
In 2022, Abdikhayr Mohamed Hussein, a senior member of the Bareedo Platform and a Bertha Challenge Fellow, embarked on a mission to address these urgent issues. Through a one-year fellowship supported by the Bertha Foundation, Abdikhayr worked closely with Somali rural communities, including clan elders and water sector stakeholders. His work focused on finding sustainable solutions to the water crisis and reducing conflicts stemming from water scarcity.
The result of his efforts was a groundbreaking manual, the first of its kind in Somalia, designed to guide rural communities in managing their water resources more effectively and equitably. This manual provides Somali traditional elders and community leaders with tools to establish community-based water management systems, mediate water-related disputes, and foster collaboration in the face of recurring droughts and climate threats.
More than just a set of instructions, the manual is a roadmap for empowering Somali communities to take control of their water resources. It builds their capacity to manage water sustainably, prevent disputes, and address the growing challenges posed by climate change. Abdikhayr’s work also seeks to inspire better policymaking in rural water governance by providing practical solutions and fostering community-based consensus.
The manual is designed for those most affected by the water crisis: rural communities, particularly livestock herders, as well as peacebuilding groups and water sector stakeholders. Traditional elders can use it to set up water management structures that ensure peaceful and fair resource sharing. Peacebuilding groups can draw on its guidance to resolve water-related conflicts and promote harmony. Water stakeholders can use it to inform their programs and initiatives in rural areas.
Now available in both Somali and English, the manual stands as a vital resource for Somalia’s rural communities as they navigate the challenges of water scarcity and climate change. It can be downloaded via the link below, offering hope and practical solutions to a nation in crisis.
