Bridging the gap: how digital transformation enhances water access for vulnerable communities in Hargeisa
Growing settlements and limited water access – a city under climate pressure
Water scarcity remains one of the most pressing challenges in Somalia. A consistently dry climate, intensified by the effects of climate change, has led to recurring droughts that deplete natural water sources such as open wells and ponds. In 2022, drought affected 7.8 million people – 46% of Somalia’s population. Somaliland and Puntland are the country’s two most affected regions.
Climate-related conditions and conflict force thousands each year to leave their homes in search of food, water, pasture, and security. By 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported over 3.5 million internally displaced persons across Somalia. Many end up in urban areas, fueling one of the region’s highest urbanization rates, with more than 45% of the population now living in cities.
This rapid urban migration is particularly visible in Hargeisa, the largest city in “Somaliland”, which continues to receive a significant influx of displaced individuals and families. As of September 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 111,720 displaced people were residing in Hargeisa—nearly 10% of the city’s estimated 1.2 million inhabitants.
Often settling in informal and underserved areas of the city, they face limited access to basic urban services— including water. Despite being a major urban center, Hargeisa lacks a centralized water distribution system, leaving large parts of its population without reliable access to clean and safe water.
Photos: Ahmed Dhagah District, Akaro Neighborhood. Credit: Faysal Osman
Fetching water - a daily struggle for most of Hargeisa’s residents
In Hargeisa, only a small number of residents have access to piped water through household connections or kiosks. For the vast majority, fetching water is a daily struggle. These residents, traditionally women or older girls, must walk long distances to fetch water from water kiosks. This task is a daily burden that impacts their time, well-being and overall quality of life, and limits opportunities for education and work.
Many rely on informal water vendors who purchase water from kiosks and deliver it to the often highly congested and difficult to access areas using trucks, donkey carts, pushcarts, or motorcycles. These deliveries often vary in quality, timing, and price. In the absence of formal regulation or a vendor registration system, prices fluctuate, and the safety of water cannot be guaranteed. Improper storage frequently leads to contamination, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases.
Photo: motorcycles with water tanks in Hargeisa. Credit: Faysal Osman
This complex supply chain results in a high water price disparity. While a barrel of water costs just 3 cents within the piped system, it can cost up to USD 2.50 in informal settlements, according to focus group discussions conducted by UNITAC with community members in two informal settlements in Hargeisa in 2025. Participants reported that such high prices often force families to make difficult choices between food, hygiene, or water.
From innovation to building resilience, advancing equity and creating opportunity
As part of an Open Call for Projects, which was funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations Innovation Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC-Hamburg) partnered with Hargeisa Water Agency (HWA) to introduce “Dhaamiye”, a digital water ordering platform designed to improve water access for underserved communities. The Somali term “Dhaamiye” or “water fetcher” in English refers to a person that fetches water from various sources such as wells, rivers or boreholes.
In this context, “Dhaamiye” is a mobile app that connects users with certified water vendors, allowing residents to place water orders via phone and choose from a list of registered water vendors. Each vendor is certified by HWA and must undergo regular recertification. The app includes a rating system that enables users to provide feedback on delivery reliability, water quality, and price, empowering residents to make informed choices. Dhaamiye aims to improve access by reducing the time and effort needed to obtain water, especially for vulnerable groups. It introduces accountability into the water supply chain, eliminates the need for middlemen and helps to regulate the water prices. This makes access to water more affordable while encouraging higher service standards through community-based ratings.
Following UNITAC’s people-centred approach, the Dhaamiye app was developed based on the feedback collected in 8 focus group sessions held with community representatives and vendors. This stakeholder engagement process was conducted to ensure that the app is locally grounded, user-centred as well as socially and culturally accepted.
Photo: Focus group with community members in Hargeisa
Photo: Focus group with water vendors in Hargeisa
To support the successful rollout, Hargeisa Water Agency will launch a comprehensive community outreach and awareness campaign in late 2025, and UNITAC will lead capacity-building and training activities for vendors, users and administrators. The Dhaamiye app will be handed over to HWA by the end of the year, positioning the agency to independently manage the platform.
Dhaamiye is more than a technological innovation—it is a people-centered solution designed to transform water access for the most vulnerable. By improving access to water to vulnerable populations (SDG 6), the platform improves access to basic urban needs (SDG 11), enhances gender equality (SDG 5), supports public health (SDG 3) and contributes to greater resilience in the face of climate-driven challenges (SDG 13).
