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Horn of Africa Crisis

Horn of Africa Crisis
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Taking Water to the Desert
10 March 2006


Osman Ali Shaikh has been watching his livestock die before his eyes.

As the Islamic Relief tanker pulls up, villagers form orderly queues – they have been waiting patiently in the desert sun.

The tanker is delivering 10,000 litres of water which will reach over 3,000 people in the drought-hit Mandera district of north eastern Kenya.

The severe and prolonged drought has driven women and children to stand on the roadsides begging motorists for water.

Osman Ali Shaikh, 44, is chief of Kamorliban village, and he has been watching his livestock die before his eyes.

“We depend upon animals. All my cattle have died, so now I have 35 goats which are very weak and three camels. I only have my government salary to survive on,” he said.

Despite these circumstances, Osman is aware that he is in a much better position than many of the other villagers. “They only get a little assistance from the government which is small,” he explains.

“Islamic Relief assisted us in ferrying this water; it has helped the people to get water. Before the people had to travel far distances but now they can get it in a short distance.

“We thank Islamic Relief for their assistance. The water is also being used for the animals,” said Osman.

The livestock count in this small village has fallen dramatically. The village once boasted 115 camels but now only 55 remain. The number of cattle has more than halved from 685 to 305, and almost 1500 goats and sheep have died.


IR tanker delivers water

Donkeys, which are used to transport water and produce, have also been affected.  The surviving animals are weak - often nothing more than skin and bones, and their future looks bleak.

Livestock is equivalent to livelihood in this region. They provide milk, meat and, most importantly, an income for their owners. The price of livestock has plummeted in the markets – nobody wants to buy half-starved animals especially as there is little water or food available for them.

“The animals have nothing to eat - no grass no leaves,” explains Osman, “There is a shortage of water and the sun is very hot. They have become very weak, dying here and there. The people have nothing to eat because the animals have died.

Osman is aware that more help is urgently needed.

“Our livestock is diminishing everyday.  The people’s source of livelihood is the livestock – if they die they have no other survival and the situation will become critical. We need assistance,” he said.



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