Bringing water closer to homes, a WASHFIRST Story
In the heart of Lower Shabelle, life in Barawe District has long been a story of quiet resilience. For many families, especially those forced from their homes by conflict and recurrent droughts, getting through the day was a struggle. Every morning began the same way, a long, exhausting walk just to find a single jerrycan of water. Worse still, the water they found was often unsafe, leaving children and parents constantly sick and making basic hygiene nearly impossible.
Things began to change in February of 2026 when a field assessment team stepped in under the WASHFIRST project, led by the local non-profit New Ways Organization with support from Catholic Relief Service. What they found was a district hit hard by broken, aging water systems, years of neglect, and absence of basic infrastructure.
Instead of walking away, the team looked for real, long-term solutions. They conducted a need-based community WASH assessment that eventually identified two key Barawe spots, Dalxiis and Abalaay village shallow wells that sit on strong groundwater supplies and could serve thousands of displaced families and locals if fixed. Following a detailed field assessment, two shallow wells were fully rehabilitated, installing reliable solar-powered pumping systems to deliver clean, sustainable water to local families.
The breakthrough came from moving away from costly, unreliable systems. In the past, water pumps relied heavily on expensive diesel fuel or unpredictable power grids, which frequently caused systems to break down and remain out of service. To break this cycle, New Ways solarized the wells by installing reliable solar panels at both the Dalxiis and Abalaay sites. Today, the pumps run on clean, abundant sunlight keeping water flowing every day without placing a heavy financial burden on the community. Khalid Ige, a New Ways WASH engineer who was part of a team who conducted this assessment described the sites as “valuable and potential.” During the launching event of the project, Khalid reflected the importance of using solar energy in places where electricity is expensive and scarce.
Barawe’s underground aquifers are remarkably productive, but the infrastructure was failing due to mechanical breakdowns and aging pipes. By shifting to solar power at Dalxiis and Abalaay, we aren’t just fixing broken pipes. We are delivering a reliable solution that guarantees safe water for the community. Khalid Ige, a New Ways WASH engineer
To make sure the clean water leads to real health gains, NWO and CRS also partnered with community members to run hygiene sessions, helping families protect their children from waterborne illnesses.
Creating a real sense of local ownership was just as crucial for keeping these water points running long into the future. To stop the new solar systems from breaking down over time, NWO and CRS formed dedicated Water Management Committees for both the Dalxiis and Abalaay wells. Members learned the practical skills needed to look after their water points from simple repairs and daily system checks to managing funds and making sure every family gets a fair share of water. With local leaders now equipped to handle small fixes and manage community operational funds on their own, the neighborhood has full control over its own water supply.
During the launching ceremony of the WASHFIRST project, Barawe District Chairman Omer Abdulahi stressed the importance of having clean water in the community.
Finding clean water is a huge challenge for many people in parts of Barawe. Knowing our wells are fixed and powered by the sun gives us hope that building infrastructure is essential for improving people’s lives. Clean water and better hygiene mean our children can grow up healthy, and we can spend our time building a better future.
A core component of the WASHFIRST initiative saw New Ways Organization in partnership with support from Catholic Relief Services deliver vital sanitation and hygiene supplies to 300 vulnerable families in Barawe District. Keeping clean water safe from the well to the home requires proper tools. Families received sturdy water containers and tight-sealing jerrycans to prevent contamination during transport and home storage. NWO also provided water purification tablets, offering parents a simple, reliable way to treat drinking water at home and shield their children from dangerous waterborne diseases.
Addressing the specific needs of women and young girls, the distribution also included tailored dignity kits. Packed with essential personal care items and reusable menstrual products, these kits enable women and adolescent girls to manage their personal hygiene with comfort, privacy, and self-respect. Pairing practical hygiene sessions with core physical supplies gives households the everyday tools needed to stay healthy. This practical support eases daily struggles, helping restore safety, health, and human dignity across Barawe.”
Before the rehabilitation of our community water source, accessing enough water was a daily struggle. Every day, I worry about finding water for drinking, cooking, washing my children and maintaining hygiene. There were days when I worried about water before I even thought about what I would cook for my children. Khadijo Mohamed, a mother of six children reflected on the challenges women and children faced finding a clean water source.
Combining solar technology with local hands-on training, NWO and CRS did more than repair water points and helped restore dignity, health, and hope to families across Lower Shabelle. Sustainable solar water wells bring stability to vulnerable communities, keeping families safe in camps without forced displacement during severe droughts. Reliable water access reduces competition over scarce natural resources, easing local tensions. Having a dependable water supply fosters peace, builds resilience, and allows displaced families to rebuild their lives with health and dignity. New Ways Organization extends our deepest gratitude to Catholic Relief Services for their vital support, and we look forward to continued collaboration across critical areas of need in Somalia.