When childhood is stolen by drought

It’s the middle of the day in Dhoobaweyne village, Somaliland, but despite the scorching sun a group of people are gathering outside. They’re waiting for the World Vision water truck to arrive – the only source of water for miles…and a lifeline for many families.

In this part of East Africa, repeated failed rains fueled by a changing climate are crippling communities, making it impossible to find water. Nomadic families, like that of 10-year-old Faduma, have been forced to abandon their animals in search of humanitarian aid as drought threatens a way of living that has existed for centuries.

Faduma can’t remember much of her life before the water trucks, but she can remember what it was like being thirsty all the time. “I can’t remember that much but I remember one time I was with the goats and couldn’t find anywhere to get water,” she says.

Faduma is waiting for water with her best friend. Her parents left her with her grandmother and abandoned their animals to try and find work in Burco City. Never-ending drought has made it impossible for them to support themselves as well as Faduma.

This is not childhood. This is climate change.

Drought has dominated Faduma’s life, cutting her off from her parents and making her worry about where her next meal will come from – something no child should have to think about.

“The drought affected us a lot,” explains Faduma. “Before, we could eat many times, but when the drought happened we only ate lunch and slept hungry at night.”

Traditionally, nomadic families like Faduma’s would move from place to place with their animals, depending on where the grass was growing. Now Faduma and her grandmother live in a shelter as close as possible to where water is being provided.

Trucking in water is one of the first ways our program responds to the many pressing needs in Somaliland. By donating to Childhood Rescue, everyday people are able to change the trajectory for many children. Helping them survive by meeting their life-saving needs like access to water and food is critical—but it’s only the first step.

With ongoing support from donors, the next step is to work alongside communities to find long-term solutions that help them recover and build a future. In Somaliland, which faces the triple threats of climate, conflict and hunger, this means building resilience to withstand the shocking disruptions they’re experiencing by establishing support mechanisms like safe spaces for children to play and learn. As families rebuild their lives, we support by advocating for lasting peace, building bridges where there are divisions, and addressing the root causes of poverty and exclusion.

But for now, water is the priority. In Dhoobaweyne village, we’re refilling the water-point as often as is needed and Faduma has not gone a day without water since moving here.

“Truck water is very important,” says Faduma as she fills her yellow jerry can with her friend. “We get water everyday. We cook, drink, and wash our clothes. This water truck is very helpful”

The girls joke and play with their friends who are also collecting water, but just as quickly as the crowd appeared, it disperses. People scatter towards home and the water-point, a bustling and crowded area just a few minutes ago, begins to fall silent.

Inside her shelter, Faduma concludes, “getting water is so important for us. Water is our life.”

Childhood Rescue helps children overcome the crippling effects of climate change. By helping Faduma withstand drought, you’re ensuring kids in her community survive, recover and build a future.

Become a monthly supporter of Childhood Rescue today.