Emergency WASH Infrastructure in Somali & Afar Regions

Client: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Donor: USAID & ECHO
Role: WASH Manager – Kader Mohammed Abdi
Project Duration: March 2016 – November 2018
Regions Covered: Somali Region & Afar Region, Ethiopia
Total Beneficiaries: 10,000+ individuals (including women, children, and displaced families)

Project Overview:

From 2016 to 2018, I served as the WASH Manager for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), spearheading an emergency Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project aimed at addressing critical humanitarian needs across the Somali and Afar regions of Ethiopia. These areas were heavily impacted by drought, displacement, and poor sanitation conditions.

The project was fully funded by USAID and ECHO, targeting vulnerable populations with limited access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation facilities, and hygiene education.

Objectives:

• Restore access to clean and sustainable water in emergency zones.

• Improve hygiene behavior and sanitation infrastructure.

• Strengthen local capacity for long-term WASH management.

• Rapidly respond to health risks caused by waterborne diseases.

Key Activities & Interventions:

• Construction and rehabilitation of boreholes, hand-dug wells, and water supply systems.

• Installation of solar-powered pumping systems for remote and off-grid areas.

• Distribution of hygiene kits and facilitation of hygiene awareness campaigns.

• Construction of gender-sensitive latrines in IDP camps and schools.

• Training of 50+ community WASH committee members on operation, maintenance, and hygiene promotion.

• Coordination with local governments and humanitarian partners for sustainable implementation.

Achievements:

• Reached 10,000+ beneficiaries, including displaced families, women, and children.

• Increased clean water access by 30% in targeted communities.

• Improved sanitation coverage by constructing 100+ emergency latrines.

• Reduced the risk of waterborne diseases through hygiene education and safe water distribution.

• Built strong local ownership by engaging community leaders and volunteers.

Impact Highlights:

Collaboration & Stakeholders:

This project was made possible through the collaboration between:

• International Rescue Committee (IRC) – Implementation

• USAID and ECHO – Project Funding

• Local Government Offices – Facilitation and monitoring

• Community Members – Beneficiaries and volunteers

Duration & Timeline:

Start Date: March 2016
End Date: November 2018
Total Duration: 2 years and 8 months

Project Manager – Kader Mohammed Abdi

As the WASH Manager, I was responsible for the full project cycle: from needs assessment and planning, to budgeting, execution, supervision, and final evaluation. My leadership contributed significantly to the project’s success and sustainability, particularly in reaching hard-to-access communities.

Optional: Add Photos or Maps

Related Projects:

• UNICEF WASH Program in Eastern Ethiopia – 2015–2016

• Urban Water Supply Upgrade – Somali Region – 2024

Tags for SEO:

#WASHinEthiopia, #SomaliRegionWASH, #EmergencyWaterProject, #IRCEthiopiaProjects, #USAIDWASHFunding, #KaderMohammedAbdi, #HumanitarianEngineeringProjects, #SanitationandHygienePrograms