The Scale of the Drought in Eastern Somaliland
Standing here on the edge of the historic El Afweyn well in the Sanaag region, the grim reality of the drought gripping Eastern Somaliland is painfully clear. This well, which has been the lifeblood of this community for generations—and from which the district takes its name—is now completely depleted.
This is not merely a seasonal shortage; it is a profound water catastrophe. The persistent lack of rainfall has moved beyond devastating livestock to posing an existential threat to human life. Witnessing this firsthand is a stark reminder that the people of the eastern regions are facing one of the most severe water security crises in recent history.
