Warsheikh Situational Report (Rapid Assessment for Solar Poweredwell in Warsheikh District)
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WARSHEIKH SITUATIONAL REPORT (RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR SOLAR POWEREDWELL IN WARSHEIKH DISTRICT) Assessment Team: 1. Mubashir Mohamed Ahmed ADT 2. Mohamud Jinow Afrah Water Engineer 3. Abdullahi Salad Qoslaaye Construction and Solar System Expert 28/06/2021 Brief Background Warsheikh district compose of 52 villages. Warsheikh town is the seat of district which belongs to middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle state. The town is on the Indian ocean 40km north of Mogadishu. It is well known Islamic historical center and hosts centers of Sufi Dariqas. The twon is very known the traditional Islamic studies such Fiqihi, Arabic Grammer and Tafseer. It was one of the principal settlements of the Sultanate of Mogadishu during the Middle Ages. The town has an old mosque situated near a cape, which features an inscription noting its construction in 1278H (1861-1862 CE). Politically, it was center for the resistance of Italian colony. Warsheikh was before the civil war a popular destination for Sufi adherents who visited tombs of Sufi clerics and saints buried in the town. It was popular for beach lovers away from the mostly crowded Mogadishu beaches, recently the town away from Mogadishu only 40 km has been a boom of visitors. The population of Warsheikh is estimated 3200 HHs or 19200 people. Warsheikh district like other districts doesn’t have segregated data but they claim the population in the town is more than 3200HHs. According to the Warsheikh mayor about 8634 children under 18 years, 5778 women and 4788 men are living in Warsheikh town. The livelihood in the town is variety of small businesses, fishing, farming and animal herding. Warsheikh is famous with red snapper fish which locals call it (Gaduudow). Despite the historic importance of Warsheikh town, it is still suffering lack of potable water. No running water in the town and the only water source is traditional open shallow wells. We have been getting requests from the elders and sheikhs in the town for water well quite a while. Recently one of the prominent Dariqa leader from the town contacted us and asked for well offering himself to take full responsibility of the repair and maintenance of the well. This is why we are proposing a solar well for Warsheikh. Objectives of the assessment The aim of this assessment is to assess the water and sanitation problems in Warsheikh district and surrounding villages to support the community in their attempts to get access to clean water. specific objectives: ✓ To assess the current water shortages, hygiene, and sanitation situation in Warsheikh town and the surrounding villages. ✓ To evaluate sources and quality of water in Warsheikh and neighboring villages ✓ To identify key factors and underlying causes of these problems and suitability for solar powered well Methodology Focus group discussions was organized. The group composed of 10 members of district water office head, community leaders, women religious leaders. A team of 3 members led by ADT project officer have conducted the assessment and completed it within two days. The report key findings. ➢ There is poor water quality and poor sanitation in Warsheikh town which affect the health of the community negatively. ➢ High malnutrition and diarrhea are common in the district and is attributed to poor water quality and sanitation. ➢ The water sources in the district are contaminated open traditional wells which are the source of water borne diseases such as acute watery diarrhea and other diseases. ➢ Due to failure of GU rains this year most parts of South-Central regions of Somalia including Middle Shabelle are facing droughts that threaten the lives of communities and their livestock across the regions. ➢ In drought affected villages under Warsheikh district, water scarcity is a leading cause of displacements and resource-based conflicts. ➢ Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the access to adequate WASH facilities plays an important part in the control of the disease. ➢ Pastoralists living in villages under Warsheikh district come to Warsheikh town looking for water while the town itself is suffering of acute water shortages. ➢ The interviewed people informed us that 52 villages in Warsheikh district depend on Warsheikh town economically and health services. ➢ Water table in Warsheikh area is not far and enough water can be reached in 20- 35 meters. ➢ The people and local authority in Warsheikh town are so happy with the Solar powered well and believe it will increase access to clean water and will decrease water borne decease incidents in the town and surrounding villages. Challenges and constraints Security In Somali, the security is the main challenge for every project. Warsheikh district is very save and there are no security concerns. It is under the full control of Hirshabelle state and federal government of Somalia. Al-Shabaab militants are not active in the district and surrounding villages. But sometimes there is inter-clan conflicts based on resource and land territory disputes. Rough road Warsheikh town is 40km north of Mogadishu. The road from Mogadishu and Warsheiklh is very rough and sandy which strong 4WD vehicles only manage to go through, otherwise, you stuck in the sand and you compromise your security. The town depends on Mogadishu for essentials such as food stuffs and all types of commodities including construction materials. Recommendations Based on water shortage in Warsheikh town and the surrounding villages, the assessment team recommends: • Installation of the solar well in Warsheikh town. It is suitable for the project because it has significant population, no security problems and water table is not far and quality water can be reached within 35 meters. • To start the project as soon as possible as there is dire need of clean water in the town and neighboring villages because of the drought in the area. • The people and district leaders are so helpful and eagerly waiting the delivery of the project. .