Climate change is real!
Millions in the Horn of Africa are affected as severe drought is pushing communities to the brink.
Climate change is happening now! Millions in the Horn of Africa are affected as severe drought is pushing communities to the brink. A change in climate is felt mainly through a change in water availability. As water sources dry up, children are forced to go miles looking for water for their families and cattle. This is usually at a cost of their education. UNICEF is working with the government to improve access to climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene services, drilling for reliable sources of groundwater, rehabilitating non-functional water schemes, and developing the use of solar systems in drought-affected areas. Yet, the need is still high.
In Borena zone, one of the worst drought-affected areas in the Oromia region, we met women and children who are struggling to cope with the effects of climate change.
Adi Jarso, a mother of eight children, knows little about climate change. But she is living with its consequences. The past three years have been difficult for her and the community around her village as they are struggling to save their cattle. “We pray that the rains will come,” says Adi while she is fetching water from a recently rehabilitated water scheme in Arbella village. “I am happy that we are getting water here. It is the only water source available. I don’t know why the rains are not coming. As you can see around, everything has dried up.”
For newlywed Elma Guyo, the future is uncertain. She has already lost many of her cattle; her only means of livelihood. Elam feels that the change in weather is getting worse when she compares it with her childhood days. “It is really getting worse. We are not getting rain and our animals are suffering. I come here every day to fetch water. Water keeps life going. It is everything that we need now.”
Barack Boru is also living with the effect of severe drought. He is responsible for looking after the camels and cows. Barack quit school after only attending grade one. “I quit school because my father wants me to look after the cattle. I would have loved to attend school, but I spend most of my time with my animals. If water was easily available, I would have been in school and continued my education.”
In the village of Arbella, a UNICEF rehabilitated water scheme gets busy every morning. Seven-year-old Keble Dembela and her friend Ashakena Kampe fetch water and carry it home. Though still very young, Keble carries a heavy jerrycan full of water. She sometimes needs to come twice to the water point. “I come here every morning with my friend Ashakena. I am happy that we get water here. I am also glad to help my mother who also comes here to fetch water.”
Further from the village of Arbella, and near the small town of Dubluk, thousands of families have been displaced by drought including Dermi Debano. “When the rains disappear, everyone was worried. I lost 30 cattle and finally came here two months ago. I was hoping things will get better, but they are not.”
Source: UNICEF Ethiopia