Under the dark skies of Sekota, where the threat of rain looms over the dusty market, amidst the vibrant chatter and bleating of goats, Wirqa Bere, a 20-year-old single mother from the nearby community of Birbir, stands with renewed hope. Holding her infant in one arm and the ropes tied to three goats in the other, these animals are now her only livestock. “I am happy to have these goats,” she says with determination. “I’m planning to breed them, raise the kids, and sell them to support my family.”
On this day, sudden drops of rain begin to fall, 300 goats were distributed to 100 families in Sekota, each family receiving three goats. The recipients were selected by a local pastoralist committee, a group trusted by the community to distribute resources fairly. “This has been a war zone, and prior to that, there was a drought,” says Tilahun Desalew, Oxfam’s Area Manager. “On top of that, they have lost their livelihoods, and their livestock were looted and killed. Many lost all their money and possessions. These were the challenges. Their ability to cope right now is very low because of climate change and the conflict.”
The goats distributed today were sourced from nearby areas where some farmers still had livestock. These goats are more than just animals; they are a lifeline for families who have lost everything. All the families receiving goats are also part of the government’s productive safety net program, which provides food aid to citizens in need.
For Wirqa, these goats represent more than survival, they offer a chance to rebuild her life. “I can now see a future where my child grows up with enough to eat and a chance to go to school,” she says. The three goats she received today are a small but significant step towards that future.
In the broader context, the distribution in Sekota is a part of a larger initiative funded by the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) and implemented by Oxfam in collaboration with WE-Action. This initiative aims to help communities devastated by conflict and climate change regain their livelihoods and improve their resilience.
Fair and Transparent Distribution
The distribution process was not left to chance. The names of all 100 recipients were written on bits of paper and drawn randomly to determine the order of distribution. This transparent process ensured that every family had an equal chance to receive the support they desperately needed.
As Wirqa leads her goats away from the market, her heart is full of plans. She envisions a time when her small herd will grow, providing enough to sell at the market, ensuring that her child is fed, clothed, and perhaps even educated. In the midst of so much loss, these goats offer a glimmer of hope—a reminder that even in the harshest of times, life finds a way to continue.