A reason for great joy: the water from the well in Malkariyey. Our project site in the Belet-Xaawa region is an example of how groundwater is essential to supply people in some places. ©arche noVa Somalia is one of the countries where water has always been scarce. Climate change is exacerbating the situation. Currently, 2.6 million people are affected by water scarcity. ©arche noVa Every place where the water supply is secured counts. In Malkariyey, arche noVa has built a well with local partner organisations. Around 65,000 people live in the community. ©arche noVa Many of them moved here because of the lack of water. Fatuma Yusuf and her family used to be pastoralists in Bardale Bay until the droughts forced them to flee. They spent more than four hours a day fetching water. ©arche noVa In Malkaryey, Fatuma Yusuf's family and many other migrants are finding new hope. "Our children can go to school instead of fetching water," says the mother of five. ©arche noVa The water at the kiosk comes from the new well right on site. The location was determined with a hydrological survey. At this location, groundwater was encountered at a depth of 5.8 metres. ©arche noVa The well and the water reservoir are covered against pollution and evaporation. A solar panel was installed. It supplies the electricity for the pump in the little house in the background of the picture. The water is pumped into a 90 cubic metre elevated tank, from where it flows into the pipes to the water kiosk. ©arche noVa At the water kiosk, people pay about four euro cents per 20 litres. The money goes into running and maintaining the water system. ©arche noVa Since the well was built, fields can be irrigated regularly. Nasir Mohamed Abdi can now grow vegetables for the first time and sell part of the harvest. ©arche noVa
