Ethiopia
Alongside our local partner, the Aged and Children Pastoralist Association, we provide water to thousands of drought-affected older people and their families in Shinille zone, Somali Regional State.
We have also empowered older people to lead water and sanitation projects and decide where to build latrines and wells. Their local knowledge of where to build proved crucial after the flood in Erar Woreda in April 2010: the wells they built remained standing, while many others were washed away.
The difference we made in 2009-10
- We have provided clean water to 60,000 drought-affected older pastoralists (people who look after livestock for a living) and their families, as well as jerry cans and water containers.
- We have built 60 latrines and distributed bars of soap, to prevent water-borne diseases.
- We have built 30 shallow wells, complete with animal drinking troughs - and we'll ensure that these are kept filled with water even if drought strikes again.
What next?
- We will provide emergency relief to 9,800 people, including 1,033 older people, affected by the Erar flood.
- We will rebuild 200m of irrigation canals, and install five small generators to pump water around the irrigation system. This system uses water from rain and from underground, ensuring none is wasted.
- We will make sure local water committees keep the generators going, and that local farming families get equal access to them. The water is vital for growing crops.
- We will distribute 600kg of maize seed, 600kg of sorghum seed, 200kg of tomato seeds and 100kg of onion seed to 9,800 people.
Our partners
Aged and Children Pastoralist Association