The HoA is drought prone which makes water a very precious commodity. Some parts of HoA e.g., Northern Kenya and Somalia experience up to nine (9) months of dry season. Rain is erratic in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of HoA and at times rain may completely fail for up to two successive years resulting in catastrophic water shortages. For the pastoralist the situation is even worse since distance between water points and grazing fields are miles apart. Critical water and feed shortages increase level of migration hence animals are accorded limited grazing time. These long treks diminish the animals body condition and subsequently their market value deteriorates rapidly. Water is also at the center of resource-based conflicts that is prevalent in the HoA countries.

Water is the backbone for survival without which the health of the entire community will be jeopardized. Currently rural areas in the HoA have limited access to safe drinking water. This is compounded by multiple challenges such as lack of clean water sources, poor sanitation and poor hygiene practice due to sharing of water pan with livestock.

Most rural areas and parts of urban settlements lack proper toilets and dumpsites. Open defecation is therefore very common in these areas; in addition, solid waste management is lacking. This result in water pollution, bad odor, increased population of flies and rodents which creates public nuisance and health problems.

HARDA aims to collaborate with the communities to establish proper toilets and dumpsites in line with its hygiene and sanitation objectives.

HARDA will support the establishment of water user associations (WUAs) and develop community-based water points e.g. water kiosks, water pans, boreholes and water troughs to ensure access to clean water for both human and livestock use. HARDA will work with its partners to rehabilitate existing water points. The WUAs will also be trained on project management, leadership and group dynamics and natural resources management to enable them to sustainably administer the water points.