Every morning, I walk for four hours to fetch water from the nearby river… I fear for my life; I fear to be attacked by criminals or crocodiles on my way to or from the river
- 2 mins read time
- Published: 16th December 2024
Walking for Water. The Daily Struggle in Somalia
How Climate Change and Conflict Are Threatening Lives and Livelihoods
In Somalia, access to water is a daily struggle, particularly for women and girls. Saada Abdullahi Yussuf, a mother of 16 living in an IDP camp in Beledweyne, central Somalia, describes the harsh realities she faces:
Every morning, I walk for four hours to fetch water from the nearby river… I fear for my life; I fear to be attacked by criminals or crocodiles on my way to or from the river.
Somalia’s water insecurity is driven by decades of underinvestment, ongoing conflict, and increasingly extreme climate events. Multiple consecutive seasons of failed rainfall and drought, often followed by catastrophic floods, are creating a dual crisis of water and food scarcity. For families like Saada’s, these conditions force desperate coping mechanisms and put lives at risk.
Oxfam, alongside local partners, is responding to this urgent need. In Beledweyne, the organization has repaired and refurbished destroyed water infrastructure and piped water closer to communities. While these interventions provide vital relief, the scale of the crisis means much more support is needed.
Saada’s story is tragically common. The climate crisis is hitting hardest on those who contributed least to it, particularly women and girls, and urgent action is required to ensure they have safe access to water and can protect their families from the compounding impacts of drought, floods, and food insecurity.
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