
Beginning with the failure of spring rains in 2016, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan began to spiral into a significant drought. I was asked to go to Ethiopia in mid-February this year. Part of my task was to facilitate a team assessment of a drought stricken area covering two districts in Easter Ethiopia, in which SOS CVI had begun a water trucking project in December, 2016. Thirteen villages in these two neighboring districts (Gode and Kalefo) were the subject of our assessment.
The flight out from Addis was interesting for the overview it provided of the drought affected areas in or flight path. The most remarkable feature of the terrain for much of the distance we covered was how rugged it was. Very steep walled ravines cutting down through the earth into jagged river valleys. Early on, the creeks and rivers reflected the hot sun’s rays. Not far out from...