The recently concluded Drought Emergency Response Project in Somaliland (DERPS) that was implemented in Sahil Region of Somaliland has brought immense smiles and joy to a large section of beneficiaries who were targeted by the Project. In Dohaguban Village, the WASH Chairman is ecstatic that the village can now be able to access running water owing to the intervention. “Look at that new hotel”, says a beaming Farhan Hashi, “The hotel was recently opened by a business lady called Zulekha thanks to the availability of water!” he observes. He further adds that the last time the village had a hotel was over 20 years ago, when he was still a young man. The DERPS Project constructed an elevated water tank as well as piped water to the village that can now be accessed at a nearby kiosk and through taps installed in strategic areas all over the village. In addition, water troughs for animals were constructed next to the village.
Moving further East, the villagers of Batalaale Community can now heave a collective sigh of relief after the DERPS Project installed a hybrid water system (solar and wind) that ensures the earlier problems of lack of water now becomes distant memories. “We are beside ourselves with joy!” says an obviously thrilled Ali Hassan – the WASH Chairman of the Village. “This intervention came just in the nick of time, before the harsh effects of drought had set in, mahadsanid ADRA (thank you ADRA)”, he concludes and proceeds to inspect clean-up activities currently being undertaken at the village that has now adopted a strict approach to observing environmental hygiene building on efforts that were pioneered by the DERPS Project.
In Berbera Town, over 7,000 people are now benefitting from water being supplied by the rehabilitated Faradeero 1 and 2 boreholes. Before rehabilitation, the two boreholes used to serve 5,000 people due to soft sand that had entered through the slots blocking screen filters and reducing water yields below 40%. The Manager of Berbera Water Agency cannot hide his joy at this development and has vowed to always provide “101%” support to ADRA whenever new interventions on WASH are to be implemented in Berbera. According to him, some residents of Berbera Town now have a new name for water: “Biyo (or water) is now called ADRA”, observes Mr. Hersi.
Based on these accounts, there is no doubt that the DERPS Project has greatly touched the lives of numerous beneficiaries in rural Somaliland and will continue touching them for many years to come.
