1. NEF4201 Research Project 2
Answer:
Introduction
Being the driving source of nature, water is among the most essential resources in any
region as all kinds of life existence rely on the availability of water sources. East African
countries which includes Somalia rely in water as a backbone of its economic, social and
environmental growth and prosperity. The growing demand for water is however a growing
concern in Somalia because if the continuous increase in its scarcity within the region as it
is well known to be a water scarce country. Somalia has approximately 411 m3 of all the
available renewable fresh water per capita according to the statistics conducted by the
world bank in 2017. The amount of fresh water has continued to decline over the past years
and it has currently fallen under the UN recommendation of 1,000 m3 per capita in the
entire year. The continuous decline in fresh water sources in Somalia has contributed to the
large competition over the scarce water resources which contributed to the never0ending
conflicts in most parts of the region. The underground water is as well under continuous
deterioration and this results from the overexploitation of the available few water
resources because of the increased population that contributes to water pollution and
depletion if the available resources. Further challenges associated with water scarcity result
from the impacts of climate change which has contributed to the frequent occurrences of
floods and droughts that last over a long period of time. The region experiences low levels
of rainfall but there is hope in the future increase of rainfall levels. This essay identifies the
water resource issues in Somalia.
Methodology
The study was conducted by measuring the region’s annual rainfall and the evaporation
levels which are the main factors that contrite to the current conditions of water resources.
Water flow variation was as well taken into consideration for the entire year as water
resources determine the level of water flow in rivers and other sources.
Findings
The study indicated that water resources in Somali are mainly affected by degradation, hot
2. and dry climatic conditions and the unpredictable floods that hot the region once in a while.
The hot climatic conditions contribute to high levels of evaporation and low rainfall output
which causes strain to the available water resources.
Water Resource Issues In Somali
Degraded Water Resources
Water resources in Somalia are highly degraded and this contributes to water shortage in
the region. Many regions in the country experience dry climatic conditions for the entire
year because if the high rates of evaporation associated with the hot and dry climatic
conditions. The dry climatic conditions result in the degradation of the available water
resources as overexploitation results into the contamination if the available water
resources which makes it unsafe for the entire population. Overexploitation of water
resources has resulted most of them drying up which is evident in the significant number of
strategic boreholes that continue to yield low water capacity and this causes the
overconcentration of human beings and livestock hence much pressure is inflicted on the
available water resources. Depletion contributes to the degradation of such resources which
is the leading factor that contributes to the current water shortage challenges as individuals
have no access to clean and safe drinking water. Regions such as Juba land have extremely
degraded water resources which resulted from the ongoing long drought sessions that
hinders the population from accessing safe water for consumption, the lack of sanitation
facilities and lack of good hygiene practices.
Hot And Dry Climatic Conditions
The Juba and Shabelle rivers are essential water resources in Somalia that has been affected
by the ongoing hot and dry climatic conditions. The rivers were known to be have
continuously strained under the dry climatic conditions which has reduced the long-term
annual volume of water flow. The annual flow reduces as the rivers flow downstream
because there is no much from the Somali catchment areas that contribute to the water
levels in the two rivers. Other factors that have contributed to the depletion if the two water
resources include the constant floods which spill off water from the rivers in the flood
plains and flood relief channels hence diverting the flow of water in the rivers during the
low and high water flow periods (Basnyat & Water, 2007). Moreover, the rivers experience
water loss because of high evaporation and infiltration levels of the ground water along the
two water resources.
The long lasting droughts contribute to the depletion of water resources in Somalia. It
mainly affects the two main river basins because if the low-volume water flow that reach
extremely low values that are close to zero during the years that experience extreme
drought conditions.
Floods
3. Floods are a major issue when it comes to water resources in Somalia. The high floods
experienced in the region result from the high rainfall intensity which affect the water
catchment areas as water becomes denser hence disrupts the water catchment networks. It
causes a rise in the river bed levels in most rivers because of the deposition if sediments
from the floods. However, a rise in the river levels which deflects the water resources as
well results from the irrigation practices that take place during the dry areas ad
encroachment of the natural flood plains that results from human activities (Mourad, 2022,
p. 1).
In conclusion, water resource issues in Somali results from the depletion if the available
water resources due to the growing population that increase the demand of water. The
region experiences hot and dry climatic conditions that highly contribute to the depletion of
water resources as most of the water evaporates leaving behind little amounts of water that
are extremely concentrated and not good for consumption. Overexploitation of water
resources has resulted most of them drying up which is evident in the significant number of
strategic boreholes that continue to yield low water capacity and this causes the
overconcentration of human beings and livestock hence much pressure is inflicted on the
available water resources. The region experiences frequent floods that temper with the
normal flow and levels of water in the two main rivers. It is unfortunate that the current hot
and dry climatic conditions in the region are a result of the impacts of climate change and
this is more likely to cause worsened conditions in the nearby future.
References
Basnyat, D. and Water, S., 2007. Water resources of Somalia.
Mourad, K.A., 2022. Post-conflict development, reviewing the water sector in
Somalia. Environment, Development and Sustainability, pp.1-25.
