Faces of Water

CARE Deutschland
Jul 21, 2017 · 5 min read

If you think that refugees are helpless people, think again. Six million liters of water per day. That’s what the tough men and women of Dadaab deliver each day in their community.

Photos by Sven Torfinn.

What’s the difference between a refugee and an aid worker? Well, sometimes, these two can be the same person. Dadaab, one of the world’s largest refugee camps in Kenya, currently hosts more than 245,000 refugees. These men, women and children fled violence, drought and hunger in Somalia, South Sudan and other East African countries — some of them came more than two decades ago, others could not bear the brunt of the current hunger crises.

Living in the middle of the desert at times of severe drought, water becomes the most important source of life. In two of five camps within the Dadaab refugee complex, CARE and the European Commission’s Office for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) work together with nearly 1,600 refugee volunteers. They supply more than six million liters of water to a community of over 120,000 refugees per day. Six million liters of water. Can you imagine? We talked to some of these water heroes. Here is what they have to say:

Mohammed: your man for urgent fixes

Mohammed Ibrahim Abdi, 45, is the man for emergencies. As part of the water and sanitation repair team, he does quick fixes where there are urgently needed — on pipes in schools, tab stands and latrines. “I like to get water in my face, it is refreshing me on extremely hot days in Dadaab. With the incentive money I get, I am able to buy some sugar, rice and fruits as add-ons to the monthly food rations.”

Hado is trailblazing in a men’s sphere

Hado Abdi Gedi, 28, is a true trailblazer. She broke the glass ceiling; made it from being a woman fetching water for her family to one of the most respected water tank security guards in Dadaab.

“I am proud to have a job, it is not very common for Somali women. For me it is important to carry responsibility — not only at home but also for my fellow Somali people.”

The desert farmer

Bahabo Hussein Abdullahi, 36, has the creative gene. She collects waste water from tab stands to grow okra and other vegetables. To make a little income, she sells it to friends and neighbors. “I put the money into fixing our shelter and in supporting our children. I am happy for that, but at the same time there is a lot of hopelessness because we do not know what our future beholds.”

Jundani, the water man

Jundani Mahamed Sharman, 32, works as water tank attendant. “I am a refugee. I supply water for my community. They trust me. In trainings, I learned how to operate a generator and a solar system. If I will ever have the chance to go back to my home country Somalia, I will take this knowledge with me and maybe I will become an engineer in future.”

Isha: Mom and Beneficiary

“Without water nobody can survive. When we wake up in the morning, we need water to bath and to cook. Water means a lot to us. Luckily, on most days we have enough water. But if the sun is too hot, there will soon be a shortage and we will be rationed. That is something we fear almost every day”, says Isha Barre Godana, a 37-year-old mother of five who also received a new and more secure latrine as part of CARE’s and ECHO’s program.

Tabbissa, a mother and grandmother from South Sudan

Tabbissa Nyancholl Malek, 41, fled from Sudan to Kenya in 1992. After her husband’s death she is the head of her family; responsible for her six daughters and two grandchildren.

“The water supply in Dadaab is good. It is just challenging to be only able to fetch a couple of hours in the morning and afternoon. I am glad we have enough storage now with two additional jerry cans. It will make my already tight daily schedule of household duties a lot easier.”

From security guard to water tank attendant to mother: refugees are helping each other, taking responsibility for their community. When we visited Dadaab, we asked them what message they would like to send out to the world. Their response was clear: “Share our situation, don’t forget us. We are doing the best we can.”

So will you share this?

CARE Deutschland

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