The challenge: Somaliland is a water-scarce country with no perennial rivers flowing in it. This makes groundwater and surface water the main sources for most people in Somaliland. Recurring droughts coupled with climate change have created severe water shortage that has not only affected humans but also contributed to poor livestock production which is the economic mainstay of the country. Developing rainwater harvesting infrastructure, managing underground water storage, and making water accessible to the largest number are the main challenges facing the nation.
Our response: In Somaliland, Pharo Foundation has constructed quality and sustainable rainwater harvesting infrastructure such as Hafir dams, subsurface dams, and berkads that will contribute to greater resilience to extended droughts. The rehabilitated Illinta Hafir dam is an example of the successful implementation of rainwater harvesting infrastructure where the community benefited from increased access to sufficient water throughout the year, particularly during the dry season. Illinta Hafir dam was designed for 249 households and their livestock but due to the dry season and water scarcity, other villages, nomadic migrants and their livestock have been using the dam since November 2022, some travelling as far as 30km to reach the nearest available water source. The dam has a 17,000 cubic meters storage capacity.