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Somaliland’s herders devastated by drought

As their animals starve to death, thousands of herder families are struggling to survive.

A herder family living in a bush camp in Somaliland's drought-devastated Awdal region. The camp and others like it across Awdal are scattered with the carcasses of starved livestock. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
A herder family living in a bush camp in Somaliland's drought-devastated Awdal region. The camp and others like it across Awdal are scattered with the carcasses of starved livestock. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
By Ashley Hamer
2 Dec 2015

Hargeisa, Somaliland – Vast regions of Somaliland, the autonomous territory that declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but has not been internationally recognised, are enduring one of their harshest droughts in two decades.

As the wet seasons have grown increasingly erratic and the rainfall more sporadic over recent years, thousands of herding families across the remote coastal Awdal and Galbeed territories have been pushed into crisis.

RELATED: Somaliland: A parched earth

These are communities for whom livestock provide the only source of income, but the parched earth means that they are no longer able to feed and hydrate their animals. As a result, their herds are starving to death.

The onset of powerful El Nino weather patterns in November have only exacerbated the current drought. And the forecast for December predicts even more devastation.

Aid groups, including the UN’s humanitarian coordination unit (UNOCHA), warn that the number of people in food security crises across the three territories of greater Somalia – Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia – has increased by 17 percent to around 855,000 people over the past six months.

As of October, the international humanitarian response plan for the whole of Somalia, including Somaliland, is only 36 percent funded.

In Awdal, pastoralist grandmother Aicha Jama shows the remains of her once 200-strong herd. She says the animals are not diseased but starving to death. The recent and violent start of the rains killed off several of the survivors, which were too weak to withstand the sudden wet and cold. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
In Awdal, pastoralist grandmother Aicha Jama shows the remains of her once 200-strong herd. She says the animals are not diseased but starving to death. The recent and violent start of the rains killed off several of the survivors, which were too weak to withstand the sudden wet and cold. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
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The condition of the surviving livestock in Awdal is so poor this year that nobody can trade live animals or even sell milk or meat. Families are sinking into debt after borrowing money and food rations from residents of the towns. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
The condition of the surviving livestock in Awdal is so poor this year that nobody can trade live animals or even sell milk or meat. Families are sinking into debt after borrowing money and food rations from residents of the towns. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
A Somaliland police escort stands on the desolate beach at Lughaya, Awdal. This coastline was buffeted by stormy seas after Cyclone Chapala in early November. Up to 25 fishing boats, hundreds of nets, and several structures were destroyed. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
A Somaliland police escort stands on the desolate beach at Lughaya, Awdal. This coastline was buffeted by stormy seas after Cyclone Chapala in early November. Up to 25 fishing boats, hundreds of nets, and several structures were destroyed. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
A displaced man stands outside his hut with his two remaining animals. Towns like Lughaya in Awdal are sheltering growing numbers of internally displaced persons [IDP] who are forced to abandon their pastoral way of life after their livestock herds had been decimated by drought. They have no alternative source of income. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
A displaced man stands outside his hut with his two remaining animals. Towns like Lughaya in Awdal are sheltering growing numbers of internally displaced persons [IDP] who are forced to abandon their pastoral way of life after their livestock herds had been decimated by drought. They have no alternative source of income. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
According to aid groups, the number of people in crisis and with emergency levels of food insecurity has increased by 17 percent to 855,000 over the past six months. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
According to aid groups, the number of people in crisis and with emergency levels of food insecurity has increased by 17 percent to 855,000 over the past six months. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Shukri Barre, a 20-year-old, eight-month-pregnant mother of two, stands with her son and the remains of her flock of goats. She says she also owned more than 200 shoats, but only 20 have survived the drought. She moved to the village of Kalowle in Awdal three months ago because she could no longer find water. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Shukri Barre, a 20-year-old, eight-month-pregnant mother of two, stands with her son and the remains of her flock of goats. She says she also owned more than 200 shoats, but only 20 have survived the drought. She moved to the village of Kalowle in Awdal three months ago because she could no longer find water. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
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The carcasses of emaciated livestock litter pastoralist camps in Awdal region. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization [UNFAO], between 35 and 40 percent of sheep and goats have died this year. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
The carcasses of emaciated livestock litter pastoralist camps in Awdal region. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization [UNFAO], between 35 and 40 percent of sheep and goats have died this year. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
In the village of Osoli, Awdal, a man packs rations onto the back of a camel. Families here say they received aid from Islamic charities and the Christian aid group, World Vision, which distributes sacks of flour, sugar, oil, powdered milk and rice, as well as conducting malnutrition screenings for children. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
In the village of Osoli, Awdal, a man packs rations onto the back of a camel. Families here say they received aid from Islamic charities and the Christian aid group, World Vision, which distributes sacks of flour, sugar, oil, powdered milk and rice, as well as conducting malnutrition screenings for children. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Outside the drought zone and close to the capital Hargeisa, UNFAO veterinary teams assist the Ministry of Livestock with vaccinating sheep, goats, cattle and camels. Animals weakened through malnutrition are more susceptible to disease. The vaccination teams aim to vaccinate three million animals across Somaliland over two months. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Outside the drought zone and close to the capital Hargeisa, UNFAO veterinary teams assist the Ministry of Livestock with vaccinating sheep, goats, cattle and camels. Animals weakened through malnutrition are more susceptible to disease. The vaccination teams aim to vaccinate three million animals across Somaliland over two months. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
A young shepherd tends to her flock about a two-hour drive outside Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa. Livestock has been less affected by drought in this region, and pastoralist families have managed to make some money from the trade of their herds this season. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
A young shepherd tends to her flock about a two-hour drive outside Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa. Livestock has been less affected by drought in this region, and pastoralist families have managed to make some money from the trade of their herds this season. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Livestock production is the backbone of Somaliland's economy. Around 60 percent of the population practises some form of pastoralism or depends on animal products, primarily because the arid regional climate only allows for a few alternative livelihoods. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Livestock production is the backbone of Somaliland's economy. Around 60 percent of the population practises some form of pastoralism or depends on animal products, primarily because the arid regional climate only allows for a few alternative livelihoods. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Grandmother Maria Abdullahi is a resident of Nasa Hablod's IDP community on the outskirts of Hargeisa. Most families living in this informal settlement come from the minority Gabooye clan. They say they are herders displaced to the city due to worsening droughts which killed off their livestock. 'We moved here because our chances in the city are somehow better ... In the countryside, my husband could not find money for us. Here, he collects rocks. And I can go downtown and sell fabrics that I sew.' [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Grandmother Maria Abdullahi is a resident of Nasa Hablod's IDP community on the outskirts of Hargeisa. Most families living in this informal settlement come from the minority Gabooye clan. They say they are herders displaced to the city due to worsening droughts which killed off their livestock. 'We moved here because our chances in the city are somehow better ... In the countryside, my husband could not find money for us. Here, he collects rocks. And I can go downtown and sell fabrics that I sew.' [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Nasa Hablod is an informal, ragged settlement overlooking the capital Hargeisa, built by families who were displaced by droughts over the past five years. Whereas some IDP and refugee settlements receive aid, Nasa Hablod is neglected, with its population lacking even the most basic services. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
Nasa Hablod is an informal, ragged settlement overlooking the capital Hargeisa, built by families who were displaced by droughts over the past five years. Whereas some IDP and refugee settlements receive aid, Nasa Hablod is neglected, with its population lacking even the most basic services. [Ashley Hamer/Al Jazeera]
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