Food, water shortages hit some parts of Galgadud

Reports from Galgaduud region indicate that severe water shortages hit some parts of that region.

The acute shortage of water in those areas has directly affected hundreds of people who previously weakened by serious drought which slapped some parts of Mudug and Galgaduud regions.

Among the areas the acute water shortage hit are Keyn locality and several other areas under Adado district.

Keyn chief Abdi Hosh Osman told Goobjoog News the shortage of water in the area is caused by prolonged drought and the dry up of water sources, wells and dams forcing of the locals to flee their homes in search of water

He noted that the situations of area is getting worse day after day and that can lead people and their livestock to die lack of water.

The chief highlighted that the area has been facing three consecutive years of little or no rain.

“Almost all parts of the district are affected, with some losing between 60 and 70 percent of their livestock” he said.

He said residents depended on livestock for their livelihoods, “and once that is gone they are not far behind”.

Hosh said local authorities did not have the means to deal with the situation and were therefore appealing to the government and aid agencies to intervene before the situation deteriorated even further.

“If we don’t get assistance soon it may be too late for some,” he stressed. “Some of the populations have reached the stage where they are no longer able to cope,” he warned.

He said people were unable to sell their animals in the market to buy food and water. “No one is buying livestock that is all skin and bones and that is the only thing they have.”

“The area has no adequate water, the roads leading Keyn town are blocked, life is becoming harsh and unbearable. There had been no rainfall for the last three years prompting displacement of many locals from the area. People in area have no money to buy drinking water” he pointed out.