Water problem in Somalia

Water is the source of life as mentioned in the holy Quran. People, animals and plants cannot stay alive without water for more than a few days. Therefore, the world’s attention is increasingly focused on water problems. One of the most common problems related to the water is water shortage. It is a global problem that covers all situations where people do not find water to satisfy their needs. In 80 countries health and economies are threatened by the scarcity of water. Water is as important as energy so conflicts among countries for water resources are not uncommon.

Africa is the second driest continent in the world after Australia although there are large bodies of water such as the Nile and Lake Victoria. There are VARIOUS causes including an increasing population. The dramatic increase has led to more demands on the earth and has resulted in more desertification. This has more environmental consequences and is increased by deforestation. Soil erosion and environmental degradation increases when trees are cut down as they control surface runoff. In Somalia this is a major problem and cutting trees has become common for export from Mogadishu, Kismayo and Bosaso (BBC, 2000 and local newspapers). Another cause of water shortage is the lack of investment in water infrastructure and the poor water quality. Climatic change and variability contributes to the problem of water shortage. If there is not more assistance to help keep water clean and to avoid associated problems, there will be certainly a new crisis. Famines will occur due to drought conditions and animal and people die from food shortages. Diseases related to contaminated water also cause fatalities.

In Somalia, water has become a resource worth fighting and dying for. A well is considered as precious as a bank. It is controlled by guards and protected with weapons. The lack of water has affected millions of people across Africa and killed large numbers of livestock, such as cows, goats and even camels. The effects of the drought are most obvious in Somalia. The reason for that is Somalia has almost no effective government and no central planning, since the government of Mohamed Siad Barre collapsed in 1991(Food Security and Nutriton Analysis Unit /January 28, 2011). Since then, a mixture of warlords and their armies have taken control of crops, markets and access to water. The U.N. World Food Program hires heavily armed men to help protect villagers as they pick up their supplies of water. Still, warlords sometimes force women to give up their water or food as they walk back to their villages.

Somalia is facing a severe water shortage following failure of the short rains. The failure of short rain season decreased the water sources for both human and livestock. This leads to crop failure, which made the prices of water and local cereals increase. Although poor rains are a normal part of the climatic seasonal pattern in Somalia, when the people are already dealing with other problems such as conflict, displacement, limited access to basic services and limited opportunities for income, even one poor rainy season is enough to put them into crisis. Also there is an increased malnutrition due to lack of clean water and also the prevalence of diseases such as diarrhea. Staples such as milk are limited when herds migrate to search for water.

Somalia has to stop land war and have to agree in everything to help their country from all problems especially water, because it’s the most affecting on them. Moreover, There are many ways to solve the problem such as inviting all people concerned from different ethnics to sit together and try to identify what are there crucial wants and needs once there wants and needs are identified then it will be easy to solve their problems. Another way is for the Somali people to put their affiliation to the country over tribalism and once that is achieved then the country can move towards the right direction. According to a poll conducted it showed that most of the Somali people think when choosing a leadership it should be based on education rather than tribalism.

Turkey is trying to solve the water problem in Somalia, by supplying them with clear and healthy water, Somali capital under a project of the Turkish Cooperation. ”A Turkish technical delegation will carry out water exploration with geophysical devices. We are planning to dig water well near the tent-city erected by Turkish relief agency, the Red Crescent. We will begin drilling as soon as our equipment arrives," he said. Karakus added, "Average life expectancy is around 45 in Somalia because of severe shortage of food and water. If we can dig water wells, life expectancy can increase." (A.A, Kemal Karakus, Sep26, 2011)