By Maryan Siyad
Ambia with her mother and two children in front of newly constructed Manyatta
At 40 years old, Ambia Dahir Yussuf found herself and her family, including her mother and four children, amidst the chaos of the flash floods that struck Dariqa village in Mandera County after the heavy rainfall of March-May 2023.
Sadly, these floods were common in their village, posing a constant threat due to the area’s vulnerability to such disasters. The floods, occurring repeatedly, brought about immense losses in terms of property and even human life, making them the primary hazard faced by the community.
Ambia’s family was among the many affected by the floods, which were caused by heavy rainfall and overflowing of rivers. For Ambia’s family, this was a painful experience, as their house was destroyed, and most of their possessions were swept away, leaving them displaced. Their small kiosk which was their sole source of income was also washed away, forcing them into a desperate struggle to meet their basic needs.
The extent of the devastation became evident, pushing RACIDA, with funding from Stichting Vluchteling (SV), to launch a program aimed at assisting the most vulnerable families who had lost their homes and livelihoods. This program provided cash transfers, non-food items, and hygiene promotion to address the emergency gaps created by the floods.
Over a period of four months, from September to December 2023, the family received cash transfers in three instalments. With this financial assistance, they were able to purchase food, essential household items, repair their damaged home, and rebuild their kiosk from scratch. This not only improved their immediate living conditions but also restored a sense of stability to their lives.
Through RACIDA’s support, Ambia’s family not only overcame the challenges posed by the floods but also contributed to the economic growth of the community. The stability provided by the rebuilt kiosk not only ensured a steady income but also had a positive impact on the entire community’s standard of living.
Reflecting on the assistance received, Ambia expressed her gratitude, stating that, “The shelter items I received through the program provided immediate relief and comfort, allowing us to rebuild our lives. With the access to the shelter items my family no longer had to endure being homeless and it allowed us to focus on other aspect of recovery rather than worrying about shelter”
Ambia actively engaged in a hygiene promotion campaign, where she gained valuable insights into the significance of adopting good hygiene habits to combat waterborne diseases.
This firsthand involvement provided her with practical expertise in proper handwashing techniques, personal hygiene, and sanitation practices. Additionally, her family received essential hygiene items, such as soap and a jerry can.
Armed with this newfound knowledge, Ambia implemented these hygiene practices within her household. Consequently, her family’s health improved, and they were able to avoid common waterborne illnesses that often afflict flood-affected areas.
Furthermore, Ambia generously volunteered to assist community health volunteers in promoting hygiene within the broader community. By sharing her knowledge and experiences, she inspired others to embrace similar practices, fostering a collective effort towards better health and well-being.
‘” We are incredibly grateful for the support we received from RACIDA; it gives us hope during one of the darkest moments of our lives. It not only helped us rebuild our lives but also lifted our spirits knowing that there are organizations like RACIDA out there who are willing to help us gain stability after devastating flood” Ambia said.
“Through RACIDA support and my hard work we able to overcome the challenges we faced after the floods and RACIDA was instrumental in the journey of my family success,” she concluded.