Somalia Humanitarian Fund makes disability-friendly latrines possible for displaced people

Abdulkadir receives assistance outside a newly constructed disability-friendly latrine in Towfiq IDP camp.
Abdulkadir receives assistance outside a newly constructed disability-friendly latrine in Towfiq IDP camp. Photo: NRC/Abdulkadir Mohamed

By Abdulkadir Mohamed, Communications Manager, Norwegian Refugee Council

Abdulkadir Barre, 75, farmed and raised livestock with his family on the outskirts of Jowhar district in Hirshabelle State, Somalia until their lives took a tragic turn. 

"One day, as we were heading to our farms, conflict broke out,” recalled Barre. “I decided to hide, but while running, I was struck by a bullet in the back. I fell and nearly died from the bleeding. Although I survived, I couldn't walk and have been in a wheelchair ever since.”

He added, “Two years ago, due to the drought, we left our village. We lived a good life before the drought devastated our sources of livelihood and we decided to search for better living conditions,” he recalled.

Barre and his family sought refuge in Towfiq IDP (internally displaced people) camp in Jowhar district.

Towfiq IDP camp hosts thousands of displaced families affected by various crises, including armed conflict and drought. These families live under challenging conditions lacking access to basic services. Abdulkadir's injury has made daily life even more difficult, especially when it comes to accessing sanitation facilities.

Temporary shelters in Towfiq IDP camp in Jowhar district, Somalia
Temporary shelters in Towfiq IDP camp in Jowhar district. Photo: NRC/ Abdulkadir Mohamed

"With my current condition, I can’t go to the toilet and relieve myself without pain,” he said.

In response to these needs, OCHA’s Somalia Humanitarian Fund, funded a water, sanitation and hygiene project implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in the Jowhar district.  The project aims to provide long-term water solutions, increasing access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for people in four rural villages and internally displaced camps, including Towfiq. The project included the rehabilitation and upgrade of five shallow wells that will benefit 11,000 people.

As part of the sanitation efforts, NRC constructed family-shared latrines, including facilities accessible to persons with special needs. At least 200 latrines with hand-washing facilities were built, 30 of which are specifically designed for people with disabilities, aiming to reach 6,000 individuals.

The project aims to help 17,000 people. These latrines have been lit to address safety and gender-based violence concerns. Campaigns to promote good hygiene have been conducted along with the distribution of acute watery diarrhoea kits. Sanitation tools such as brooms, trash forks, wheelbarrows and gloves were also provided to improve conditions in the camp.

Abdulkadir sits outside a newly constructed disability-friendly latrine in Towfiq IDP camp, Jowhar district, Somalia
Abdulkadir sits outside a newly constructed disability-friendly latrine in Towfiq IDP camp, Jowhar district, Somalia. Photo: NRC/Abdulkadir Mohamed

"We are very happy to have latrines in our camp, especially those that meet the needs of people with disabilities like myself,” said Abdulkadir. “Our camp is now cleaner and more hygienic. The children no longer have to relieve themselves behind our temporary tents.”

Abdulkadir is particularly grateful for the disability-friendly latrines, which are equipped with hand-washing facilities. “These latrines are designed based on our needs and we can access them comfortably,” he said. “This is also beneficial for pregnant women and older persons. Personally, I can now relieve myself in the latrine peacefully without any challenges."

While the construction of these disability-friendly latrines has brought relief to Abdulkadir, he often reminisces the time when he could walk, work and support his children. Despite his current challenges, the support and improvements in the camp give him hope for a better future.