Ethiopia

The situation for children

Late and inadequate rainfall in 2004 is threatening the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia with a serious food crisis. In the Shinile Zone, food and water security is on the brink of emergency levels. To date, widespread famine has seen local communities plied with gratuitous food aid, which - once exhausted - puts them back at square one.

Children always suffer disproportionately from the impact of drought, as they are particulalry vulnerable to chronic malnutrition. Save the Children believes every child has the right to a safe, happy and healthy childhood - and we believe in long-term solutions, not simply band-aids.

Harvesting water for agriculture and livelihoods

Last year, Save the Children helped to provide immediate drought relief to children and families in the area. This year, the support is extending to a more sustainable water-harvesting project.

Save the Children is building six main water storage points and water distribution systems to benefit 2,400 families. Where springs are available, water is diverted and channelled to the fields to boost agricultural production. We also excavate collection hollows in appropriate places for household use, involving communities every step of the way.

Save the Children also trains local people in water harvesting, which can be used for animals and crops. This includes building small bunds and dams that provide collection areas for water, lining collection areas to minimise seepage and providing guidelines on how the water should be used.

This is a practical project that involves children and their families in improving their day-to-day lives. Our local partners, Save the Children UK, already have considerable experience in successful water harvesting projects in other parts of Ethiopia, particularly Wollo. They have learned important lessons about design, construction and landscaping to maximise run-off water collection and optimise accessibility to water for its intended uses.