Goal: To ensure safe, consistent and resilient water supply in drought-prone regions

Summary/Activities: Water has long been a scarce resource in Somaliland, where a two- to five-hour daily walk to fetch household water is not uncommon. Collecting water has traditionally been the task of women and girls, which has a major impact on school and other activities. In response to increasing water scarcity in the region, UNICEF has teamed up with the Ministry of Water and Mineral Resources (MoWR), the Danish Government and NGO, Red Sea, to install new solar water powered systems in the region. The project also aims to upgrade many of the traditional hand pumps. The new systems break down less frequently than hand pumps, and cost very little to maintain. Such systems are able to support multiple communities and are helping to sustain life, in a region that is highly prone to drought and famine. As such, the solar powered water systems are helping to improve resilience. Volunteers from the village clean the tank once a week and check the taps for any damage. They also monitor usage, to be sure the precious resource is not wasted. Due to a general scarcity of water in the region, there is a growing need for finding long-term, low-cost solutions to ensure the safe water supply. This pilot project is an example of how, with a small investment and the strong commitment of community leaders and members, a safe source of water can be made available for multiple communities.

More info: https://www.unicef.org/wash/somalia_44827.html https://www.unicef.org/somalia/wes_12327.html