In 2018, a new set of challenges continues to affect residents of Badhan district as drought conditions persist in most parts of Sanaag region.
As other parts of Somalia received significantly above average rains during the April to June Gu rainfall, which started earlier than normal in most parts of Somalia, extreme water and pasture shortages were reported in rainfall deficit areas of Bari, Nugaal, Sool and Sanaag regions, specifically Northern Inland Pastoralist, Nugaal Valley and parts of Golis and Coastal Deeh livelihood zones.
Badhan district continues to face massive water and food scarcity due to the failed rains.
The main water supply in the area is water trucking but with the poor road network, water prices have gone up making the very important commodity so expensive for the residents.
According to an assessment conducted by HADMA in April 2018, pastoralists in the Northern Inland Pastoral (NIP), Badhan, Iskushuban, Gumbax, Bayla, and Hafun districts are migrating to areas that have received rains in search of food, water and pasture for their animals.
Host communities across Puntland are in need of an integrated response such as water trucking, food distribution, cash distribution and livelihood support to sustain their recovery.
ACTED has been supporting thousands of vulnerable communities in the region thanks to funding from SHF, ECHO, SUEZ Foundation and USAID-OFDA to ensure they have access to food, water and other basic needs.
Currently, ACTED is supporting 3 villages in Badhan District with rehabilitation of three water facilities to assist 15,000 households while supporting 568 households financially to increase their purchasing power.
With both the drought and floods baring the same effects to the Somali people, caution must be taken to ensure the effects are dealt with to avoid a catastrophe.
Emphasis should be placed on the ongoing water scarcity, loss of livelihoods and food crises in Badhan.