This could be the simplest way Somaliland/Somalia can solve the water problems.
The Great Water Crisis Drama (with a Dash of Humor)
You know that feeling when you’ve been waiting for something, and it just never shows up? That’s exactly how I feel every year with the rain. It’s like the weather’s playing a prank on us. “Oh, you want rain? Ha! Not today!” It’s supposed to rain at the end of March or the beginning of April in Somaliland, but this year? It’s like the weather’s on vacation, sipping Soda Fanta somewhere far, far away.
I’ve been watching droughts in Somalia and Somaliland for the past ten years. And you know what? I think Rainy Seasons is just playing the world’s longest joke. Every winter, the same drama unfolds: people anxiously await the rain, but guess what? It doesn’t come. We’re stuck in the same cycle, like a bad rerun of a Somali Theatre show nobody wants to watch.
Now, here’s the fun part (not really). We’ve got these big, flashy Somali/Somaliland companies who are really good at two things: bragging and making their “generous donations” look like the next big Waaberi production. “Look at us! We sent 700 water trucks to help the drought victims!” Seven hundred water trucks, people! Wow, 700 trucks for one day of aid? That’s like buying a new car every day for a year and calling yourself a philanthropist. Let me tell you, I did some math — brace yourself.
Okay, here’s the breakdown:
- 1 water truck = 8 water tanks.
- Each water tank costs 8 dollars.
- So, 8 tanks x 8 dollars = 64 dollars per truck. Not bad, right?
- Multiply 64 bucks by 700 trucks, and you get $44,800.
Hold up — $44,800 just for one company’s “generous” contribution, and guess what? There are more companies sending trucks, not to mention the government’s contribution, which is like a small country’s yearly budget.
Here’s my problem. You might be wondering, “Abdirazak, why are you so upset? People are getting help, right?” Sure, they’re getting help… for one day. A day! The rain’s not coming back for a while, and meanwhile, the trucks keep getting used up like a snack pack at a party. How about we plan for the future?
In 2017–2019, we saw some truly epic drought seasons. Rural communities got displaced, families lost livestock, and our entire food chain basically broke down. It was like the world had switched to a 24/7 drought channel, and there was no off button. But did we learn anything? Apparently not. By 2022, we were right back at square one, like some twisted version of “Hablayahow Hadmaad Guursan Doontaan.” Same droughts, same problems, same suffering.
What’s even funnier (well, not really) is the whole “water shortage” debate. I mean, really? You’re telling me there’s a shortage of rain when we witness 98% of rainwater just runs off the land and ends up in the ocean? Is it really a water shortage, or are we just terrible at managing what we’ve got?
But here’s the kicker: we’re not exactly poor. Yeah, the country’s not rolling in cash, but when you look at how much money’s being spent on water trucks, it’s like we’re funding a bad sequel to the water crisis saga. Instead of investing in reservoirs, dams, and water tanks that will last, we keep pouring cash into these short-term fixes. It’s like buying a brand-new phone every month and never using its full potential.
Let’s do the math again — imagine the government and these generous companies built reservoirs instead of giving out water trucks every year. We’d have actual water storage systems that could serve the population for years. This would be like investing in a gold mine rather than buying glittery toys.
Here’s my solution (brace yourselves): Let’s have a plan for the rainy season. Rain will come back — InshaAllah. But do we have any idea how to catch that water before it runs off to the sea? Nope. We just sit and wait, hoping the drought won’t hit again. But with a little foresight, we could build dams, wells, and reservoirs. Heck, we could even build some cool underground water storage systems.
I once worked in a rural area during a rainy season, and let me tell you, it was like nature’s water park. The rain was relentless. My boss pointed to the floodwaters and said, “All this water, and soon, we’ll be facing droughts again.” I thought he was joking. Turns out, he was right — he was spot on.
So here’s my genius plan: Let’s stop just handing out water trucks like party favors and actually build sustainable water systems. Imagine if we focused on infrastructure that would provide water all year long rather than only when the trucks arrive. Water trucks are like the fast food of water aid — they’re quick, easy, but ultimately unhealthy for long-term survival.
We need to get serious. The government, businesses, scholars, and even our local youth should unite. Let’s form a water association — a cool club where we get together and brainstorm solutions for the water crisis. Think of it like a superhero team, but instead of capes, we wear hard hats and carry blueprints for sustainable water solutions.
Now, I’m not saying we should ignore the reality of politics, but let’s be real: we can’t keep wasting time on blame games and drama. Let’s focus on what really matters — water. Because, in the end, you can’t drink politics.
So, let’s stop pretending like there’s a water shortage. There’s just a shortage of planning, management, and good ideas. With the right leadership and a little less drama, we could solve the crisis and finally stop the endless loop of droughts and floods.
And one last thing — please stop bragging about those 700 water trucks. Let’s build something that will last longer than a day. My people deserve more.
Thanks for reading, and if anyone wants to join my water superhero team, let me know! We need all the help we can get!
