Collecting tall water grass
28-year-old Nakale Kodaye holds a bundle of tall water grass, a crucial material for building houses in her village in the Dasenech district. This task is particularly significant as the community has been displaced due to flooding, and the women have taken on the responsibility of constructing new homes, a duty traditionally assigned to them in Dasenech culture. The photographer, Ekayo, who lives in the same village, captured this image to highlight the vital role women play in their community.
The photo also underscores the challenges faced by the community, such as the scarcity of wood for construction, which has led them to use alternative materials like the grasses Nakale is carrying.
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Wooden boat
In this photo Ekayo Lokabel wanted to show a traditional boat used for fishing and transportation. It’s crafted by the local community from a large tree log, a common practice in the region and it’s primarily used for crossing the Omo River and navigating areas affected by flooding.
The boat serves as a vital means of transport and fishing, capable of accommodating between three to five people, with one person operating it using a wooden paddle. Ekayo took this picture to highlight the primary mode of transport in his community, which is essential due to the frequent flooding that submerges vast areas and damages access roads, making daily use of the boat a necessity.
Catching fish
Photographer Ekayo Lokabel captures children from the Dasenech community fishing in shallow flood water. The boys and girls (aged between 12 and 15) have taken to fishing as a way of providing food for their families. The mood in the scene is one of necessity rather than enjoyment, as the community is facing a severe drought that has left fishing as the primary source of food. However, this new livelihood comes with risks, including the presence of snakes and crocodiles in the area. Ekayo took this picture to highlight the traditional way of fishing and the hardships faced by the children in this community. The fish caught by these children will be eaten by their families, and occasionally, some will be sold in the local market.
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Herding goats
Ayara Lote, 45, and his son Nakori, 12, from the Dasenech district are looking after their goats, which were provided to them through the project in their village. This initiative is particularly significant because the communities in the Dasenech district have been facing severe challenges due to the climate crisis, resulting in the loss of most of their livestock due to prolonged drought and flooding.
The photographer, Ekayo Lokabel, took this picture to capture the hope and resilience of the community.
Morning coffee
Mitin Mesfin (28) enjoys a traditional morning drink called Shoforo, which is made from coffee husks. Traditionally Shoforo is consumed early in the morning before the pastoralist men head out to tend to their cattle. Due to recent droughts, many of these men, including Mitin, no longer have livestock to care for, but the tradition of drinking Shoforo continues.
The project in Dasenech has supported community groups, which Mitin is part of, through microgrants plus training to start and manage their own local businesses. This support has enabled the groups to improve their income and diversify their livelihoods despite the many challenges.
The photo was taken by Cholo Ngaremata (Mitin's wife) to highlight the cultural practices of the Dasenech community and the benefit of the project.
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Branches
In Gumburbur village in the Dasenech district, communities have endured prolonged droughts followed by devastating floods. These floods have displaced the entire village, forcing residents to adapt to new living conditions. Previously, the villagers used wood for construction, but due to the scarcity of wood caused by recurrent droughts, they have had to find alternative materials.
Ekayo, the photographer, captured this image to illustrate the challenges faced by his community. Despite the significant damage caused by the floods, the photo also shows a small but significant benefit: the growth of tall water grass (known locally as Kamate) which has provided the community with a new resource for building and cooling their homes.
Tango's goats
Tango Akagna (30) from the Gumburbur Nebremus village is pictured looking after goats, which are her new additions thanks to the project. These goats are significant not only because they provide her with a means of livelihood and income but they are a vital part of her community's social fabric and her prestige within it.
Despite the prolonged drought in the area, the newly distributed goats manage to survive by eating bushes and small grasses.
The picture was taken by Ekayo to show how the initiative has challenged traditional property ownership norms, which were previously dominated by men. By receiving and caring for these goats, Tango Akagna is not only improving her economic situation but also contributing to a shift in gender roles and property ownership within her community.
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Fishing trip
The women pictured are members of a fishery group in Bayu, returning from a fishing trip. They were fortunate and managed to catch some fish during their outing. They live in the same village as Mitin, the photographer. Mitin took this picture to show their new livelihood. Previously, the community was primarily involved in pastoralism and agriculture.
The project provided these groups with microgrants and training, enabling them to transition into this new livelihood.
Cholo cooking
Cholo Ngaramata (25) prepares a meal for her family. She lives in Bayu village, located within the Dasenech region, which is less than 10 kilometres from the Kenyan border. Mitin took this picture of his wife to highlight how they live, since the drought and floods. As a result of their displacement they’ve constructed a small hut for living in and meals are cooked outside.
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During COP28 the Scottish Government announced it was awarding £250,000 to Christian Aid from its Humanitarian Emergency Fund to support communities in Dasenech suffering extreme climate change-related impacts.
Supported by local partner, Action for Development, the community participated in a process to identify and prioritise the main climate change-related problems they face, and to propose their own solutions. This led to significant positive impacts for nearly 38,000 people.
Projects like this are vital as the climate crisis continues to wreak havoc with people’s lives, more must be done. Domestically we need to transition away from fossil fuels faster than we currently are. Internationally we need local communities to led on what they need to adapt and react to extreme weather events, with local partner organisations supporting change.
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