Feature - The "gold" of Somali Regional State

Abdul Osman has walked with his family for two days to water his cattle. In the desert-like conditions of southeastern Ethiopia it is not an unusual journey. But Abdul is just grateful that the birka – a traditional watering hole, where his animals now drink - is there at all. Less than 20 km away, villagers are charging between seven and ten Ethiopian Birr (about US $1) for 200 litres of water - enough for three cows for just two days. In Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, water is like gold - the most valuable commodity you can have. The thorny acacia bushes and bolted gates that prevent cattle using private watering holes illustrate just how precious it is. "If I could afford to use the other holes I would, but it is too expensive," said Abdul, who has 30 head of cattle. "If this communal watering hole was not here then my animals would die." CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNAL WATER HOLES Osman Elmi is part of the water committee from the village of Jidawl in Jijiga Zone which built the birka on a food for work basis. Some 10,000 head of cattle now use it. "The people usually move from place to place in search of water but they are coming here now," said Osman. "They know there is water here so they can use it. Some of the people come from 120 km away. It means that if there is another drought this can help us and prevent us losing our livestock." Save the Children UK (SC UK) - one of the few international organisations operating in Somali Regional State - is supporting the construction of the communal watering holes. They are designed to help the pastoralists through the dry season before the start of the rains. "The communities take full responsibility for constructing the birkas and for managing the water resource," says SC UK water specialist Taufiq Adan. "We have worked with them on improved designs based on traditional birkas and we supply materials and food with the support of the European Union and other donors." The Somali region receives one of the lowest rainfalls anywhere in Ethiopia - around 300 mm a year. The same amount falls on the capital Addis Ababa in one month during the rainy season. NUMBER ONE PRIORITY Lack of water and access to waterholes has also sparked fierce conflicts between rival ethnic groups and clans. Abdirahiam Garad, acting head of the regional Water Resource Development Bureau, says the value of water cannot be underestimated. "Clearly in this region the development of our water resources is vital," he told IRIN. "Water is priority number one, two and three. Nothing else can happen without water." He said that despite help from international organisations, the region still desperately needs more water holes. Speaking in Jijiga, the capital of Somali Region, Abdirahiam said that developing water in the area played a key role in the regional government's plans. He said irrigation schemes could help farmers grow crops so that if other areas of the region needed food handouts during droughts, these could be supplied locally. He added that in the long term, it meant the drought-prone region would not be so hard hit by long dry spells. "PYRAMID" SCHEME TO HELP PASTORALISTS In some of the hardest-hit areas, SC UK has devised a novel "pyramid" scheme to help the pastoralists. Under a re-stocking programme it is giving families sheep. The families have to pay back the sheep by giving some newborn animals to other villagers.

camels in Somali region

Farhan Osman, 25, lost everything when devastating famine struck in 2000. "All our cattle died and our sheep," he said. "I am the oldest son so it is my duty to provide for the children. It was a very hard time." Farhan has now been given eight sheep to help his family rebuild their lives. In total some 3,156 families will receive sheep and goats though the pyramid system in 99 communities in the three zones in which SC UK operates. Women in particular benefit from the scheme because traditionally they are in charge of goats and sheep. Men will only look after cattle and camels. SC UK says the scheme has also improved the diets of many children and strengthened the pastoralists' ability to cope in case of future disasters in the region.