Hundreds of villagers in Balambala village of Garissa County have urged both the county and the national governments to scale up water trucking and increase food rations as the drought situation continues to bite.
The situation is likely to get worse if the anticipated long rains delay further, this is according to the latest report
by the area National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Coordinator.
The report further adds that livestock could start dying in the next few weeks.
Balambala residents said the only water tanker from Constituency Development Funds (CDF) currently supplying the precious commodity was not enough since sometimes it develops mechanical problems or even demands become higher.
Yaroy Abdullahi of Ohio village said the situation was becoming worse every day.
“Lack of water is pushing locals as they are forced to migrate to other areas with their livestock. Sheep and goats have started dying as a result of pangs of hunger,” he said.
“We appeal to both the national and county governments to provide us with water. Currently there is one water tanker that provides water but it’s not enough since other villagers also need same water,” said the mother of five.
While flanked by other villagers she asked both national and county government to provide them with water storage
equipment, saying the water tanker from CDF supplies water only once in 14 days.
“In this entire village we only have two water tanks whose capacity is low. When this water tanker supplies water it gets finished almost immediately. We need more storage apparatus,” she said.
Badly hit villages in Balambala includes Balambala junction, Ohio, Abdigab, Ashadin, Omar Muhumed, Hifow, Bula Rig, Sheptaad and Dujis.
Mohamed Abdullahi said while some animals have died over drought related diseases several other animals have shown weakness and are currently being fed at home since they can’t reach grazing fields.
“Residents that need water are many and one water tanker can hardly do much. We need urgent intervention from national and county governments,” he said.
By Jacob Songok
