[1]

Ceel-Waaq Rapid WASH Assessment Summary Report

Introduction The floods experienced in Ceel-Waaq have really destroyed major infrastructure like roads,

buildings and water infrastructures. After this serious experience, a meeting was called by WASH

cluster lead organization (SAIF) with interest of mapping out how all actors in water and health

would respond to the havoc caused by the floods. An assessment has been carried out by nine

agencies where the survey report findings was carried out in Ceel-Waaq District, Gedo Region

Somalia between April 26, 2018 to April 28, 2018 by various WASH Cluster actors in the district .

The survey was carried out in 10 villages namely, October, Madina, Dharken Dhoga, Tula Adey,

Holwadaag, Goof, Wagbari, El-Sharif, Tula Garas and Waberi. The number of households the

survey was conducted covered a total of 400HH.

1.1. Objectives of the assessment Main objective of the assessment was to identify baseline information on the current status on

floods, water supply, sanitation and hygiene amongst the IDPs and Host Communities in Ceelwaaq

district and to recommend requisite interventions.

1.2 Specific Objectives • To determine the current flood water and water service levels.

• To determine sanitation service and coverage amongst the population in the camp

• To identify gaps in regards in knowledge regarding good health and hygiene practices and

establishing existing practices leading to negative impact on health in the populations.

• To assess the security situation and possible interventions.

• Find the current WASH situation in the area and other actor’s involvement.

2. Assessment Methodology Employed We used the below methodologies for the assessment and took three days with complete social

mobilization both at the community level and at the local authority with provision of logistic from

Soma-Action who provided all assessment tools to all agencies participating in the assessment.

• The methodology employed are: WASH assessments tools through, focus group discussion ,

house to house visit, visit water points with picturing, community questionnaires dialogue, interview with water point managers through the community own resource.

• Site visiting at water points, Disposal site, Host communities with integrated IDPs settlement areas.

• Group discussions with 3-5 people from different sections of the community including elders, health workers, women groups, water point managers and business from all areas.

• Interview with host community and IDPs/vulnerable people randomly.

[2]

3. Summary of findings From the study, it was evident that community attitudes, knowledge and practices were low coupled

with less water supply, sanitation facilities and NFI’s. All these factors expose and augment the

flooded areas to avert risk of contracting communicable diseases.

Water availability was to be 4-6 liters/person/day. Water collection time was from 7.00- 11.00am morning

and 4.00- 6.00 pm afternoon. Each 20 litter jerrycan is charged by 100.00 Somalia shillings.

Due to the combination of few numbers of shallow wells protected, most of shallow wells were unprotected

and flood water has flooded into the wells. Long distance among water points, the collection time of 20

liters jerrycan takes 3-4 minutes and this results very long queue which takes about an average of 1-2 hours.

95% of the people who fetch water are women and children. Only 5% are men in the population who fetch

water.

Above 85% of HHs have no 20 liter jerrycan and use 10 -5 liter jerrycan while the remaining 15% of HH

have one 20 litter jerrycan to collect water for all purposes. This means that 100% of HHs had no water

drinking storage containers.

From the observational list, the assessment exposed that jerrycan used for water collection were

dirty and uncovered.

Latrine coverage The assessment looked into latrine coverage, general disposal of excreta including children’s

feaces, latrine maintenance and solid waste management. It was found out that at least 85% of the

populations have no access to communal or household latrines as most areas are flooded as

indicated the photos below.

[3]

[4]

The above latrine is not accessible as the area is flooded.

The houses are flooded and people have vacated these houses and latrines not accessible.

[5]

From Focus Group Discussion (FGD), it was found out that an average of 40-60 HH are sharing

single communal latrine. Assessment of latrine maintenance showed that 90% of the communal

latrines were never cleaned and rehabilitated.

4. Recommendations from the Assessment Short Term

4.1 An estimated 3500 household are already affected by current floods in Ceel-Waaq district.

4.2 Need to distribute water treatment tabs (Aqua tabs and water maker) at household level to

reduce on the occurrence of AWD in the district.

4.3 The quantity of water should be increased to meet the recommended SPHERE standard of 15

litres per person per day from 2-3 litres in targeted areas.

4.4 Need to distribute jerry cans for water storage as majority of the population use 10- 5 liters

and have no separate of water drinking storage containers. There is also need to distribute

containers for hand washing.

4.5 Proper hygiene promotion on safe water handling to be done at household level as the FGD

revealed that majority of population have no separate container for water drinking,

4.6 Need to increase the current latrine coverage to conform to the standards of 1 latrine per 35

persons. CLTS to be introduced to affected areas and repairs to latrines to be carried out.

4.7 Proper sensitization on how to handle children’s excreta and latrine use by children under 5

years needs to be done at household level. Children defecated anywhere, therefore posing a

high risk of transmission of communicable diseases.

4.8 There is also the need to sensitize the community on proper latrine maintenance to include

cleaning. This may be done together with distribution of sanitation cleaning materials that

will aid the community in latrine cleaning.

4.9 Hygiene promotion campaign to educate the affected population on proper disposal of solid

waste, dumpsters to collect garbage and loaded for further disposal.

4.10 It is important that the agencies provide soap for hand washing and proper education on

the critical times for hand washing under hygiene promotion campaign.

There is also need for desludging of latrines which have been flooded with rain water and dis-

effecting the latrines to ensure they are re-usable.

[6]

In conclusion, there is need to act swiftly in responding to 3500 household affected by floods and

ensure the affected communities are assisted with Hygiene kits and other Cluster also to respond

on shelter, food security (food distribution) and Health Cluster on treatment to the affected

population with medicine.

4.2 LONG TERM The long term activities for WASH projects in this district will need to address the basics on the

accessibility and sustainability of operations with reliable community mobilization of ownership.

4.2.1 Complete rehabilitation of 14 shallow wells including extension of the water distribution

system, 38 unprotected shallow wells and water catchments in the area and its surrounding

rural villages.

4.2.2 Drilling of new boreholes with the provision of piping system and tap stands in the far rural

and agro-pastoral areas.

4.2.3 Capacity building for water operators and WASH Committees.

4.2.4 Support with O&M for private water supply under PPP arrangements to rehabilitate their

water supply systems and provide training to facilitate longer term sustainability.

Full report will be shared soon it is finalized with next wek