December 2014

WATER AND SANITATION IN AFGOYE VILLAGE OF SOMALIA: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

ABDIRAHMAN ISMAIL DHAQANE

ABSTRACT

Water is the most important factor for sustaining life. It’s significant for humans, animals, and even crops. Water shortage is the main reason for majority of problems all over the planet. The main cause of water shortage in most countries is drought. Famine is an irregularly long period of low or no rainfall and that is a reason for the drying up of many water wells in many regions in Somalia. In addition, statistics show that half of the hospital beds worldwide are occupied by patients diagnosed with water related diseases, and water and sanitary crises claim the lives of more people through diseases than war does. Being a source of life, water is scarce in Somalia and has major impacts on the life of the people as well as on the environment. Sometimes, people have to sell their belongings in order to be able to buy or get access water. The first objective of this study was to assess the water supply and sanitation situation in the village of Afgoye, South-Central part of Somalia, East Africa. By conducting an assessment one can determine water supply and sanitation coverage and identify water supply and sanitation problems in the village and then propose solutions to improve water supply and sanitation coverage. This research also finds out the key challenges of water and sanitation in Afgoye village and investigates possible ways to improve water efficiency and provide sufficient water especially in dry season. Finally, this thesis offers some recommendations to overcome the present challenges as well as to guide future development projects, donor communities and Government of Somalia to improve water and sanitation situation in Afgoye village.

Key words: Somalia, Southern part of Somalia, Afgoye, sustainable rural water supply, lower Shabble region, access to clean water, water for health, food security, development.