Water shortage hits Somali regions

People and animals in the Galgagud, Hiran and Mudug regions of central Somalia have been hit by an acute shortage of water after almost a year without proper rainfall.The Commissioner of Mahas district in Hiran region, Mumin Mohamed Halane told the African Press Agency on Sunday that hundreds of rural people have flocked to towns in search of drinking water for them and their animals.

He said wells, waterholes and pools which whole communities had depended on to water their animals have dried up.

According to him, the situation has worsened in areas where al-Shabaab militants forcibly took away water generators from villages in an apparent scorch earth tactic against government troops and African Union peacekeepers.

“People are dying because drinking water is lacking and we call on the international community to help these people. It is beyond our capacity to deal with the problem� Mr. Halane added.

Meanwhile Somali cabinet ministers have announced a water delivery campaign to thirsty communities in the affected regions, warning that the crisis was deteriorating.

Crisis-torn Somalia has experienced frequent droughts and water shortages.