The Harrowing Struggles of Laqaanley Village

The plight of those in Laqaanley village is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by communities in drought-stricken areas. Farhiyo, a local resident, shared her experience, revealing the agonizing process of seeking credit from shopkeepers for the food her family desperately needs. Speaking candidly with Radio Ergo, she described a scene fraught with desperation.

“The problem is worse for humans than for livestock. We have debts to pay. Sometimes we are chased away by shopkeepers,” she expressed, revealing the emotional toll of her situation.

Farhiyo further explained, “It takes a long time begging for more credit, and we are usually told to pay off the first debt before getting more.” This cycle of rising debt reflects not just a financial burden but a heavy emotional weight that can crush a person’s spirit over time. With the recent drought decimating their livestock, many families find themselves in an impossible situation, with nothing to eat or drink.

Adding to the challenges of daily survival, Farhiyo lamented the lack of water. Although a 30,000-litre tanker truck could deliver fresh water, its price tag of $200 is simply beyond reach for her family. Often, they are reliant on the kindness of neighbors who can afford the luxury of water. Yet this reliance comes with its own anxiety, as it sometimes means going without water for days at a time—an unbearable experience that prevents families from cooking and simply adds to their suffering.

The prolonged drought, which has lingered without rainfall since mid-last year, has left local shallow wells and rainwater storage tanks depleted. Furthermore, the implications extend beyond the immediate access to water; they reflect a deeper systemic crisis where hope seems to wane with every passing day.

“The livestock haven’t had any disease, but they are dying of hunger,” Farhiyo observed. This sentiment is echoed throughout the community—an ironic tragedy that there’s no illness among the animals, yet they are perishing from starvation. “I can’t find any livestock to slaughter and eat,” Farhiyo continued. The once vibrant community is now intermingled with despair as the people face the stark reality of survival.

With her family confined to their land by circumstances beyond their control, Farhiyo faces an agonizing choice: stay and hope for a miracle or migrate to a displacement camp in the city. “If a person has assets, they move to the town. We have nothing to go to the town with and no houses,” she explained candidly. “We are a nomadic family, and the drought has caught up with us.” The push and pull of their environmental reality weigh heavily on their decision-making, tethering them to a past that may no longer serve them.

Laqaanley village, traditionally home to around 150 people, now finds itself largely deserted as many pastoralists abandon their homes in search of sustenance elsewhere. Abdi Ali, another herder, witnessed the heartbreaking loss of 50 goats and is considering relocating to an area with water for his family of twelve and remaining livestock, which, too, are languishing.

“Just 10 days ago, many people moved from the countryside because their livestock were killed by the drought,” he recounted. “About 100 families in total have fled to the urban areas.” This mass migration is a haunting testament to the mounting panic that envelops the village. A once-thriving herd of 100 animals has dwindled to a mere 50, transforming hopes for a future into stark desolation.

“You won’t find any goats to slaughter tonight because they are weak and thin,” Abdi lamented.

This speaks volumes about the collective despair settling over Laqaanley. Further complicating matters, Abdi faces a $1,500 debt to traders for food and clothing—an insurmountable figure that complicates his ability to secure more credit. Despite occasional financial assistance from family and friends, the soaring prices of water make survival increasingly precarious. “There is no solution for those animals. They are dying from the lack of water,” he stated matter-of-factly, evoking the heart-wrenching reality of a community on the brink.

Mohamed Ismail Omar, the chairman of Laqaanley, corroborated the dire situation, emphasizing that the drought has wreaked havoc on their economy. “Most businesses have closed, and many families have fled,” he explained. The reliance on livestock herding leaves the village vulnerable, particularly as the population has dwindled to dangerously low levels. “Laqaanley area has no sea, no farmland—its economy relies on livestock herding,” he said, articulating the community’s fragile existence.

Sadly, pleas for assistance from Northeastern State or any aid agencies have fallen on deaf ears, leaving the villagers feeling abandoned and desperate. Their voices echo the universal struggle for dignity and survival, leaving us to ponder: how much longer can communities like Laqaanley endure this relentless cycle of hardship?