Awdal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Awdal Awdal (Somali) أودَل (Arabic)
Region of Somaliland
Ruins of the Muslim Sultanate of Adal in Zeila
Motto(s):  Education, Peace and Prosperity.
Location in Somaliland
Country	Somaliland
Administrative centre	Borama
Government
• Type	Regional
Area
• Total	16,294 km2 (6,291 sq mi)
Population  (2014)
• Total	673,263
• Density	41.3197/km2 (107.018/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)
HDI (2017)	0.383 low · 3rd

Awdal (Somali: Awdal, Arabic: أودَل) is a region in western Somaliland. It became a separate province in 1984. Awdal is the most northwesterly part of Somaliland.

To the east, it shares borders with Maroodi Jeex and Sahil. To the north-west, it borders Djibouti. Ethiopia lies to its south and south-west. The Gulf of Aden is to its north. The region has about 673,263 people. Awdal includes four main areas called districts. These are Borama, which is the capital, Baki, Lughaya, and Zeila.

What is Awdal?

The name Awdal comes from the old Adal Sultanate. This was a powerful kingdom from the Middle Ages. Its main city was originally Zeila.

Along the border with Ethiopia, you can find many old ruined cities. A British explorer named Richard F. Burton wrote about these places.

A Look at the Land

Awdal has three main types of land. These are the coastal area, the mountains, and the high plateau.

The Coastal Zone

The coastal zone is along the sea in the north. It has sandy plains that stretch from the Sahil region to Djibouti. This area goes inland for about 70-90 kilometers. It is about 600 meters above sea level.

The Mountainous Zone

Next to the coast are the mountains. These are part of the Golis range. They stretch from east to west across the region. These mountains are about 700 to 1000 meters high.

This area has deep gorges, valleys, and dry riverbeds. Some of these riverbeds have springs. During the rainy season, water flows from the mountains to the sea. This water can wash away soil and damage roads.

The Ogo Plateau

The third type of land is the Ogo Plateau. It is south of the mountainous zone. This plateau is about 1100 to 1300 meters above sea level. Most of Awdal's big towns and villages are here. This includes Borama, the capital. This zone has the most people.

How People Make a Living

The main ways people earn money in Awdal are by raising animals, farming, fishing, and trading.

Coastal Area Jobs

In the coastal zone, many people are pastoralists. This means they raise camels, sheep, and goats. People in coastal towns like Lughaya and Zeila also do traditional fishing and small-scale trading.

Zeila and the border town of Loya-addo have busy trade activities. Many coastal towns have fewer people in summer. This is because the temperature can reach 45 degrees Celsius. People move to the cooler mountainous zone.

Mountainous Area Jobs

In the mountainous zone, people mix farming with raising animals. They are called agro-pastoralists. They are known for raising goats because goats do well in the mountains.

Irrigated farming started here in the 1980s. Farmers use water from shallow wells and springs. They grow fruits and vegetables to sell. This helps them earn extra money besides raising animals.

Ogo Plateau Jobs

The Ogo Plateau also has agro-pastoralists and traders. Farmers here grow crops like sorghum, maize, and finger millet. They also keep a few cattle, sheep, and goats. This area gets more rain during the wet season.

Trade is also very important in the Ogo Zone. Towns and villages have busy markets. People can easily buy what they need. There is also a lot of trade between Awdal and Ethiopia.

Learning and Schools

Awdal region has 87 primary and secondary schools. These schools fall into three groups:

• Public primary and secondary schools
• Private primary and secondary schools
• Religious schools

In public primary schools, Somali is the main language. Arabic and English are taught as second languages. English is used in both public and private secondary schools. Private schools use different teaching plans. Religious schools teach the Koran and Arabic.

The opening of Amoud University in 1998 helped more schools open. More students also enrolled in schools. This growth happened not just in Awdal but in other Somaliland regions too.

Before the university, most schools were religious. They were supported by Islamic groups. Some taught only the Koran. Others used teaching plans from Arab countries. A few top students went to Arab countries for more religious studies.

The idea that only the government could start universities changed. Many private universities were then started by people and groups.

Here is a summary of schools and students in 2012/2013:

• Primary schools: 79 schools, 27,189 students.
• Secondary schools: 8 schools, 6,092 students.
• Total: 87 schools, 33,281 students.

Many school-aged children in Awdal still do not go to school. They often work to help their families. These children usually come from poor families.

Private schools also have some problems. Classrooms can be too full. They might not have sports areas. They use different teaching plans. Also, they charge high fees.

Health Care

The Awdal Region has about 540,000 to 570,000 people. The government has 275 health staff. Most health services get help from UN agencies and international groups. These include WHO, UNICEF, COOPI, Merlin, World Vision, Caritas, and PSI.

Most health staff work in Borama. Remote areas and villages do not have enough trained staff. Doctors and qualified nurses are mostly in Borama town.

Here is how health facilities are spread out:

• Borama: 48 MCHs (Maternal and Child Health centers), 2 Mobile Teams, 5 Hospitals, 60 Health Posts.
• Baki: 12 MCHs, 1 Mobile Team, 1 Hospital, 19 Health Posts.
• Lughaya: 12 MCHs, 1 Mobile Team, 1 Hospital, 14 Health Posts.
• Zeila: 15 MCHs, 1 Mobile Team, 1 Hospital, 17 Health Posts.
• Total: 87 MCHs, 5 Mobile Teams, 8 Hospitals, 110 Health Posts.

Health teams also do activities like vaccinations and malaria control.

Jobs and Social Issues

The working-age population in Awdal (15-64 years old) is estimated to be between 225,600 and 246,975 people. However, many people in Awdal do not have jobs. The unemployment rate is quite high.

Many young people, including university graduates, leave the region. They are looking for job opportunities elsewhere. Their parents often spend their savings to help them leave.

There is also a lot of poverty in the region. This is due to job shortages, long droughts, and crop failures. It also comes from damage to the environment. Vulnerable groups like children, elderly people, and pregnant mothers are most affected.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs works to help with these problems. They aim to reduce poverty and illiteracy. They also care for the elderly and disabled. A big goal is to create more jobs for young people.

Youth and Sports

Young people are a big part of the population in Somaliland. About 60-70% of the country's people are under 30 years old.

It is important to help young people develop their skills. This means creating job opportunities for them. It also means building places for fun and sports. Training in practical skills and business is also needed. Young people should be encouraged to take part in politics.

If young people do not have these chances, they might get involved in bad habits. They might also try risky ways to leave the country.

One challenge is finding new sports fields. After the government collapsed in 1991, public lands were taken by individuals. New playgrounds now have to be bought or donated. Without money for new fields, young people might have too much free time.

In Borama city, there are two playgrounds: Haji Dahir Stadium and Xaaslay Stadium. There is also the Hanoonita basketball center.

Religion and Faith

Somalis have been Muslims for over a thousand years. They mostly follow the Sunni branch of Islam. Besides local customs, Islamic laws were used for legal and social matters.

After the government collapsed in 1991, Islamic practices became more important. Young Islamic scholars, educated in Arab countries, came back. They brought new ideas and money. They opened modern religious schools and built mosques. They also started their own Sharia courts to solve disputes. These new educators have also become very successful in business.

The Somaliland constitution says Islam is the state religion. The country's laws are based on Islamic Sharia. The Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs promotes Islamic values. However, private religious groups often take on these roles in the regions.

Growing the Economy

Farming and Crops

Agriculture is the second biggest economic activity in Awdal. About 35% of the people depend on it. There are two main types of farming:

• Rain-fed farming: This is done in the southern part of the region, the Ogo Zone. It happens during the rainy season from April to September.
• Irrigated farming: This is done in the central mountainous zone. Farmers use water from dry riverbeds. They dig shallow wells or use running streams.

About 8,000 families do rain-fed farming. They grow grains like sorghum, maize, and finger-millet. They also keep a few cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. Most of what they grow and raise is for their own families. Extra produce is sold in towns for cash.

Irrigated farms support about 2,000 families. They grow fruits and vegetables to sell. These include tomatoes, lettuce, guava, oranges, papaya, lime, and watermelons. They sell these in local towns to buy other goods.

Farming is very important for Awdal's economy. It provides jobs and food. But only a small part of the farmable land is used. Production is also low. This is due to old farming methods, poor soil, and lack of support.

Raising Animals

Raising livestock is the most important part of Somaliland's economy. More than 60% of people depend on it. It provides jobs and income. It also brings in money from other countries. Livestock gives milk and meat to people in both cities and rural areas.

Most livestock rearing is done by pastoralists. They are nomadic, meaning they move with their animals to find pasture and water. They usually keep many sheep, goats, camels, and some cattle. They are found in all three land zones of Awdal.

• In the mountains, pastoralists keep many goats and sheep. The rough land is good for goats.
• In the coastal zone, they keep many camels, sheep, and goats. This flat area has good pastures when it rains.

Agro-pastoralists are people who farm and raise animals. They live in one place. Most of them are in the Ogo Plateau. They grow sorghum and maize. They also keep smaller numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats. The leftover crops are used to feed their animals.

The main office for livestock services is in Borama. It has departments for animal health and production. But there are not enough skilled staff. Also, there are very few animal health facilities. The ministry also lacks a regular budget.

Fishing and the Sea

Awdal has a long coastline, about 300 km. The districts of Lughaya and Zeila are coastal towns. Most people in these areas are pastoralists. They raise camels, sheep, and goats. They often do not value fishing as a main way to live.

Even with many marine resources, fishing is not a big part of the economy. Here are some reasons why:

• There is low demand for fish in coastal towns. Only a few fishermen work to feed their families.
• Coastal towns are hard to reach from major cities. Sandy roads and mountains make transport difficult and expensive.
• There are no ice-making or fish storage facilities.
• There are no fishing ports or safe landing sites for boats.
• The government support for the fishing sector is weak.

Industry and Business

Since the government collapsed, businesses have grown a lot. Most are owned by families or small groups. They do things like retailing (selling to customers), wholesaling (selling to other businesses), and providing services. There are very few factories.

Businesses can be grouped by their size:

• Small businesses: These have little money and are just for daily living. They are often run by women and have no shops.
• Medium businesses: These have more money and often have shops. They provide goods and services.
• Large businesses: These have a lot of money. They are involved in money transfers, trading, or small factories.

All these businesses create jobs and help people get goods and services.

However, the business sector faces challenges. There are no banks to lend money. High transport costs from ports are a problem. Expensive energy also discourages new businesses. Also, the government lacks the ability to provide technical support to businesses.

Mining for Gems

Mining is the least developed sector in Awdal. The only mining activity is for gemstones. Many people dig for gemstones in a very old-fashioned way. Stones like emerald, sapphire, and aquamarine are found in the Golis Mountains.

Miners use simple tools. This leads to a lot of waste and effort. The gemstones often have cracks and are hard to sell. It can take months to find a small amount of gemstone. The money earned is often less than the effort put in.

Miners are not formally organized. They often work together, sharing costs and income. But this can lead to conflicts and theft.

Planning for the Future

The regional Ministry of Planning helps carry out national development plans. Its jobs include:

• Collecting and studying information.
• Setting up a committee to oversee development.
• Making sure development plans are followed.
• Registering local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Coordinating development activities of international and local groups.

Protecting the Environment

Awdal has three different land zones, each with its own environment.

Coastal Zone Environment

The coastal zone is very hot, especially in summer. Temperatures can go above 45 degrees Celsius. It gets less rain than other areas. This zone is called "Guban," meaning "burned." The plants here are mostly grasses and a few acacia trees. Rivers from the mountains bring rich soil to this area.

Long ago, this zone had thick forests and many wild animals. These included elephants, antelopes, lions, and leopards. But now, much of this has changed.

Mountainous Zone Environment

The mountainous zone gets more rain. It has many dry riverbeds with running water. In the past, there were thick forests and many wild animals like lions, kudu, and gazelles. The last elephant in Somaliland is said to have died here in the 1940s.

Since the 1970s, many valleys and riverbanks have become farms. Forests were cut down for charcoal or building. This has destroyed animal homes. People who used to raise animals now farm more.

Ogo Plateau Environment

The Ogo Zone is a high plateau. It gets the most rain. Most people here are agro-pastoralists. They farm and keep a few animals. This zone is densely populated. It has suffered the most from environmental damage.

In the past, colonial governments set up parks and grazing lands. They also had forestry camps to protect wildlife. But over the last 40 years, the environment has gotten much worse.

Many things have caused this damage. As more people live here and times get harder, people use natural resources more. Forests are cut down for farms, charcoal, and building materials. During civil wars, land was taken, and forests were destroyed even more.

Charcoal business is causing huge damage in Baki District. Many trucks carry charcoal to other towns every day. Hundreds of men are involved in burning charcoal.

There is a great need for a strong plan to protect the environment. This will help Awdal develop in a way that lasts.

Roads and Transport

Roads are very important for moving people and goods. But Awdal's land makes road transport difficult. The sandy coastal plains and mountains are big challenges.

The coastal plains are very sandy. It can take 3 to 4 hours to travel 150 km between Lughaya and Zeila. During rainy seasons, transport can stop for days. The road between Zeila and Borama is about 250 km. It takes about 8 hours to travel because of its poor condition.

The coastal and mountainous zones have a lot of potential. But they are not well developed because of poor roads. Good roads would help fishing, farming, and mining. As a Chinese saying goes, "If you want to fight poverty, build a road."

Public Works and Housing

The Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Transport is supposed to guide public works and transport. But it is barely working.

Many public buildings are occupied by people who lost their homes. Others are in bad shape. The main office in Borama is also occupied. The ministry does not have the money or staff to fix things.

Electricity

Energy is vital for a region's development. Somaliland's development depends on having cheap energy. Energy is needed for factories, homes, and transport.

Most energy comes from fossil fuels like diesel and petrol. These are imported and cost a lot of money. Charcoal and firewood are also used a lot, especially in homes. But using them causes a lot of deforestation.

Borama used to have a public power station. It was built before 1969. It provided light for public buildings and streets. In the 1980s, it was expanded. But after the government collapsed, private companies took over.

Now, more than three private companies provide electricity in Borama. They charge a high price ($1.20 per watt). So, electricity is mostly used for lighting and small businesses.

Air Travel

Borama Airport was built in 1988. It was meant to connect the region to the outside world by air. But its operations are very limited now. Most planes use Hargeisa and Berbera airports.

The airport runway is not paved and is rough. Its land is not clearly marked. So, people sometimes take parts of the land. The airport has no security fence. Animals roam freely, and trucks use the runway as a road. This is dangerous.

The airport also lacks important services. These include weather forecasts, fire trucks, and communication systems. There is also a shortage of trained staff and money. If these problems are fixed, the airport could be used more.

News and Culture

Awdal Region does not have its own public or private radio stations. However, people listen to Radio Hargeisa. It broadcasts in Somali, English, Amharic, and Arabic. BBC and VOA also broadcast in Somali, Arabic, and English.

There is one private TV station in Borama called Rayo TV. People in the region also watch Somaliland National TV and Somaliland Space Channel.

Educated people also use websites and daily newspapers. There are no local newspapers published in Awdal. But newspapers from Hargeisa arrive in the afternoons.

Mail and Phones

The regional office for Posts and Telecommunication is in very bad shape. It was built with mud bricks long ago. After the government collapsed, it was badly damaged. It is now described as the "home of bats and rats." The land around it has also been taken.

There are only 7 employees for this sector in the region. They have no office space and carry documents with them. Their salaries are paid through private money transfer agencies. The main challenge is the lack of office buildings in all districts.

Water Supply

The types of water sources in Awdal depend on the land.

Coastal Zone Water

The coastal zone is very hot in summer. Water is very important here. In the rainy season, people can get water from shallow wells. But these dry up quickly. So, the main reliable water sources are deep bore wells.

Six of the eight bore wells in the region are in the coastal zone. These include El-gal and Laanta Morohda in Zeila district, and Karure and Kalowle in Lughaya District. Kalowle bore well provides water to Lughaya Town. These bore wells are important because they are in the driest areas. But they do not have backups. If one breaks down, people and animals are at risk.

Zeila town gets its water from a bore well near Tokoshi. But it does not provide enough water. The water also turns salty in the dry season. This is a problem because Zeila is a hot town and a busy entry point from Republic Djibouti.

Mountainous Zone Water

The mountainous zone has many dry riverbeds and valleys. These provide permanent water from springs and shallow wells. This water is used for people, animals, and for irrigation farms. This zone has the most reliable water sources.

Ogo Plateau Water

The Ogo Zone is a high plateau. Its main water sources are man-made earth dams and cemented catchments. There are also some bore wells and natural rain ponds.

Most of these water sources are privately owned. Communal dams dug by a World Bank project in the 1980s have not been cleaned since. During the dry season, these sources often dry up. People and animals then rely on bore wells or shallow wells in the mountains.

The management of bore wells is poor. Operators often set the price of water. They are not accountable to anyone.

In major towns in the Mountainous Zone, there are small water systems. These use shallow wells with pumps. They are funded by international groups and local communities. Committees manage them and charge fair prices.

Government and Justice

Justice System

The Ministry of Justice works to protect the rights and freedoms of people in Somaliland. They have a legal system to protect citizens from unfair treatment. They ensure that laws are applied fairly in civil and criminal cases.

Somaliland has different levels of courts:

• District courts
• Regional courts
• Appeal courts
• Supreme court

Local Government

Borama is the capital of Awdal and has the largest population. It is estimated that between 450,000 to 750,000 people live in Borama. The population has grown a lot since 1991 due to refugees and people returning from camps.

Borama is a "Grade A" district. It is part of a program where five UN agencies work with the local government. They help with financial management, project planning, and leadership.

Local governments have important roles in developing their areas. But Borama Local Government still faces challenges.

Regional Governor's Office

The regional governor's office is in Borama. It is a very old building made of mud bricks. It was built during colonial times. It is one of the few public offices not taken over by squatters. It is a historic symbol for the region.

Who Lives in Awdal?

Awdal is mainly home to people from the Somali ethnic group. The Gadabuursi subclan of the Dir is very well represented here. They are considered the main clan in the region.

Experts like Federico Battera (2005) and Roland Marchal (1997) say that the Gadabuursi clan is the largest group in Awdal. A UN Report (1999) also states that the Gadabuursi clan controls politics in the region. Marleen Renders and Ulf Terlinden (2010) confirm that the Gadabuursi almost exclusively live in Awdal. Their traditional ways have stayed strong through different times.

There is also a smaller group of the Issa subclan of the Dir. They mainly live in the Zeila district.

Districts of Awdal

The Awdal region has four districts:

District	Grade	Capital	Location
Borama	A	Borama	Location of Borama District
Zeila	B	Zeila	Location of Zeila District
Lughaya	C	Lughaya	Location of Lughaya District
Baki	C	Baki	Location of Baki District

Main Towns

• Borama
• Baki
• Lughaya
• Zeila
• Dilla
• Jarahorato
• Amud
• Abasa
• Fiqi Aadan
• Quljeed
• Boon
• Harirad
• Lawyacado

See Also

In Spanish: Región de Awdal para niños

• Administrative divisions of Somaliland
• Regions of Somaliland
• Districts of Somaliland
• Somalia–Somaliland border