Keeping hope alive.
(Story of drought ravage family in Afgooye).
SOYDA nurse attending to Nasri Mohmud youngest son.
Drought in Somalia left many pastoral communities with no animals and risking their life since their only dependent livelihood was swept away by the drought, below is a short story told by one of the affected families who flew to Afgooye and currently in IDP at KM 13 center.
The onset of the drought in south central Somalia led many in a poor state, one of the saddest stories was narrated by one Nasri Mahmud Abdi, who footed from the furthest end of Warmaxan town for 45 km to KM 13 with her 3 young children with no water and food to eats, Nasri struggle to look for assistance through trekking 45km to save her children life.”I kept telling them the place where we can find food and water is near just to make them going…… not forgetting the risk of wild animals who are also preying all over.” Said Nasri.
She narrated her ordeals to Somali young doctor’s association project officer in KM 13 upon reaching safely on 22 March 2017, despites the horrible moment and stress she and her children under went through hopping better live for her children, “It was indeed horrible journey a whole night seeing my love once in pain and with no help I can offer not even a single drop of water to drink….” Nasri narrates. We lost completely our goats and we only left with few cattle’s that are in poor condition….she continues narrating, upon enquiring where she left the remaining animals Nasri said that her husband flew to Kenya with animals and have no information of his safety too.” I don’t know where he is now” Nasri narrates while tears in hers eyes.
Nasri’s family have been living in their rural home with their animals in the past 17 years, and were comfortable with their life, but unfortunately the drought consumed their livelihood and left them destitute, now the family is struggling to live in IDPs situation with limited humanitarian services due to high number of displaced persons. Since she arrived with her severely malnourished children who are yet to recover from the long distance and distress she hopes to get help to begin her life.
Despites all the distress she kept to cook for her children with little she received from well-wishers upon her arrival. I enquire Nasri current status in the tinny makeshift outskirts KM 13 and in low tone she says …..” Its God who provides but we are better than before” Such is the situation in many families who are affected by the drought.
However, Nasri and her children are currently received by SOYDA staff on the grounds and helping her with some therapeutics supplements with her malnourished children as well as providing treatments in the newly outreach mobile clinics.
SOYDA, therefore appeals any well-wishers or donors to provide any livelihood safety nets since the organization is overwhelm by the high number of displaced people with little resources in the area.
