Cash support that breathed life and restored hope to the Wajir Community
Abdirahim Bulle Osman, a cash for drought project participant withdraws his stipend in Buna, Wajir County. Affected households receive their cash support electronically via their mobile phone to help cope with the impacts of drought. Image credit: Mark Wahwai
A razor sharp memory is what he has.
His unique ability has him recalling dates from past events. He recalls the
last time it rained before the worst drought he has ever experienced. He
remembered the date the rains first fell after the long drought period.
“We were used to droughts lasting one or two years. This last droughtlasted four consecutive years. It is the worst drought we have seen yet.We lost our livelihood and remained with nothing.”
According to Abdirahman, the rains first fell on 17th March 2023. They were short but heavy and resulted in floods. They did not seem to catch a break. They moved from one crisis to another. The flood swept away the little livestock that had managed to survive the drought. He remembers the day he received the first cycle of cash assistance from ALDEF with a smile on his face. Abdirahim is among those who received cash assistance of Kshs.8,190 monthly for three months. The cash was courtesy of the generous funding from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), for Oxfam's climate emergency response program in Wajir County.
Abdirahim Bulle poses for a photo holding foodstuff secured from a local shop in Buna Village, Wajir County. Image credit: Mark Wahwai
“From the cash assistance, I bought a donkey which I use to transport firewood that I then sell. What was left we used on food and paid school fees for my children. We are really grateful for this cash assistance. It came at the right time.”