Sustaining Communities
Resilient Communities and Prolonged Drought
Haller’s well-deepening initiative sought to combat the adverse effects of a prolonged drought in Mombasa, Kenya. Focused on water security, health outreach, and technological innovation through the Haller Farmers app, this case study showcases the project's impact.
Prompted by urgent appeals from global humanitarian organisations and the Kenyan Government, the project's inception aimed at mitigating the severe consequences of a protracted drought in the Horn of Africa.
Challenges Faced:
In early 2022, the region experienced unprecedented drought conditions, impacting Haller Kenya's ability to provide water security for rural communities. The severity of the drought was exacerbated by five consecutive failed rainy seasons, leading to empty rain-fed dams, dried wells, and barren soil. The resulting conditions created a cycle of extreme hunger, weakened immune systems, and increased disease, especially among children.
The UNOCHA's assessment highlighted the monumental challenges faced by the Horn of Africa due to five consecutive poor rainy seasons, leading to one of the worst droughts in recent history. "People in the Horn of Africa are on the front line of the climate emergency."
Haller's response encompassed three main components:
Water Security Improvements: Deepening and repairing community wells has been a pivotal undertaking, aimed at revitalising failing groundwater levels and ensuring sustained access to this vital resource. The comprehensive initiative also encompassed the repair of well platforms, pumps, and thatched roofs, fortifying the infrastructure to enhance the overall efficiency and resilience of the water supply system.
Health and Family Planning Support: Implementing bi-weekly health outreach clinics has been a cornerstone of the initiative, offering crucial primary healthcare services, family planning, and educational resources. This multifaceted approach not only addressed immediate health concerns but also tackled the long-term ramifications of food insecurity and drought conditions, promoting holistic well-being within the community.
Haller Farmers App Development: Revitalising the Haller Farmers app involved integrating transformative health and family planning content, amplifying its impact as a comprehensive resource for smallholder farmers. The initiative went beyond development by launching awareness campaigns, ensuring widespread adoption and maximising its potential to support farmers with vital information.
Progress and Challenges:
Four wells have been successfully deepened, providing communities with essential water access for both domestic use and farming initiatives.
Challenges, including irregular rainfall patterns and high water tables, impacted the schedule of works, resulting in the need for adjustments.
Project Impact: Transforming Lives Holistically
Community Health Reinforcement:
Conducting indispensable health outreach clinics treated 757 individuals grappling with diseases intensified by climate conditions. The holistic approach, encompassing family planning, nutrition, hygiene, and infection prevention education, emerged as a linchpin fortifying communities against health challenges, ultimately fostering resilience in the face of climatic uncertainties.
Well Deepening Empowerment:
Completed well deepening significantly increased water accessibility, allowing communities to restart fish farming initiatives and sustain their families. With elevated water levels, communities now dedicate efforts to domestic and horticultural use, providing a lifeline in arid conditions.
Digital Connectivity for Rural Empowerment:
Extending the mobile health service not only addressed immediate health concerns but also bridged the digital gap in rural communities. The Haller Farmers app, enriched with updated content, became a vital tool connecting smallholder farmers to life-enhancing health information. This initiative planted seeds of knowledge, sowing resilience in the fertile grounds of rural connectivity, and empowering informed decisions for community well-being.
The Haller Foundation's well-deepening initiative, supported, has been instrumental in alleviating the impact of severe drought conditions in Kenya. This comprehensive project not only ensured water security but also made significant strides in community health, sustainable farming practices, and digital empowerment, creating a transformative impact on the lives of the people it serves.