When Water Becomes Uncertain, Communities Find Answers

In Ethiopia’s Somali region, water shapes daily life. When climate shocks disrupt the nearest reliable water source, families face difficult choices about where to find water for drinking, cooking and livestock. As droughts and floods become more frequent and less predictable, one question becomes increasingly urgent: where can we find safe water?

To help answer that question, communities worked with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society in the Harshin and Kelafo districts to map local water points and understand how vulnerable they are to climate hazards, supported by Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA).

Water as a Source of Risk and Resilience

In Ethiopia, water can be both a threat and a lifeline:

“Floods and droughts account for nearly 75% of all hazards in Ethiopia, both driven by water-related risks. That’s why our work starts with communities: we help them understand the risks and own the actions needed to reduce impacts.”

Abraham Tesfaye, Anticipatory Action Focal Point at the Ethiopian Red Cross Society

By identifying where water points are located, whether they are functioning, and how exposed they are to climate hazards, communities and local authorities can make informed decisions about which water points should be prioritised for rehabilitation, upgrading, or protection, helping communities protect reliable water sources before climate shocks disrupt them.

Connecting Community Knowledge With Digital Innovation

The water point mapping combined local knowledge with digital tools to create a clearer picture of water availability across the two districts. Trained by the Netherlands Red Cross, Ethiopian Red Cross Society volunteers travelled between communities to observe water points, assess their condition and vulnerability, and record the information on smartphones so it could be shared and accessed more easily. Conversations with residents revealed which wells dry up first, which routes become inaccessible during floods, and which water sources communities rely on when conditions become extreme. This work resulted in a comprehensive, digitally available overview of local water infrastructure, showing where water access is fragile and where support may be needed most when disaster strikes.

“By making reliable information readily available, we have strengthened our capacity to identify risks early, monitor interventions effectively, and facilitate timely actions that enhance community climate resilience.”

Matebe Eshete, Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator at the Ethiopian Red Cross Society

Afdup: Fighting Water Hazards Together

The mapping exercise also uncovered stories of adaptation already taking place. Afdup, a town in Kelafo far from the river, often faces water shortages. But residents came together to build their own water sources which support households and livelihoods today, providing an important buffer during dry periods:

“Today, they not only meet their needs but also exchange crops for water, proving what communities can achieve when they organise around a common challenge.”

Jamal Idris, volunteer at the Ethiopian Red Cross Society

Stories like Afdup show that climate resilience is not created by infrastructure alone. It depends on local leadership and access to information that supports effective action.

Turning Information into Action

For many communities in Ethiopia’s Somali region, resilience begins with knowing where water can be found and whether it will still be accessible when conditions change. The maps created through this initiative provide the information needed to help communities and local authorities make decisions before a crisis unfolds.

When water becomes uncertain, having answers matters. It helps protect livelihoods, strengthen communities and prepare for whatever comes next.

Credit: Sarah Whitlock, The Netherlands Red Cross