It is an unfortunate reality that Puntland at large continue to be affected by severe drought after every season, due to irregular and variability in rainfall. The drought has impacted lives and livelihoods, compounding an already challenging humanitarian situation. In some areas, 60-80 per cent of herds have been lost, with devastating impact on families who depend on livestock for income, food and status, As an organization we recently conducted a rapid assessment in Bari region in Puntland, Somalia, the assessment shows that nearly 40,000 households (over 236,000 people) are already affected by the severe drought – mostly in pastoralists and urban villages. This is as a result of a failure of rains in last two consecutive seasons – resulting in a near-total crop failure and unavailability of pasture and water for livestock within the period. As of 31 May 2017, there had been an estimated 739,000 drought displacements since November 2016…More than 480,000 of the displaced, or 65 per cent, are under the age of 18. (UNHCR, 31 May 2017).
In 2018, our main focus is sustainable solution against drought as durable solutions that are adaptable to future weather shocks, We are much interested in agricultural production in general; this is because we understand that over 50% of the Somalia population relies on agriculture for their income and livelihood. Moreover, agriculture is considered as the second leading income earner that contributes a bigger percentage to the GDP.
The communities that live around Bari region are in dire need and are enthusiast to be part of any initiative that will guarantee them food security and earn them basic livelihood through farming. This has been impossible for them because they could not afford or access the basic inputs for their farms and infrastructure to achieve the same.
The primary intervention target is to achieve food self-sufficiency and safety-nets that will cushion farmer’s livelihoods from future weather unpredictability, also within the context of this project, in the long run the spiral effect will translate to economic growth, employment, safety nets and emergency capabilities
Objective of the intervention is to encourage asset creation to the community and improve their access to livelihood assets in enhancing resilience and reduced risks from droughts, disaster and shocks faced by targeted community and household.
In 2018, with the help of WFP, we plan to help them in fodder production on an area of 20KM squared farm, we will also build 300 soil bunds and 200 Half-moons, community will also receive NFI’s and 10 kilograms of seeds.
The community in the area have enough land to grow pasture and grass for their animals that will be stored for use during drought seasons, the local community have agreed on signing to set aside 20KM squared farm for the purpose for a period of ten years to come, the activities will take three months to accomplish.