{"id":4987,"date":"2020-06-18T17:49:05","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T17:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.miyamotorelief.org\/?p=4987"},"modified":"2020-09-05T02:56:55","modified_gmt":"2020-09-05T02:56:55","slug":"return-water-to-ethiopian-tribes-save-lives-livelihoods-and-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.miyamotorelief.org\/return-water-to-ethiopian-tribes-save-lives-livelihoods-and-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Return Water to Ethiopian Tribes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

In the Omo Valley, Ethiopia, new infrastructure developments threaten lives and livelihoods by altering the seasonal floods on which local tribes rely for their harvest. These indigenous groups, including the Kara, Mursi, Hamer and Nyangatom, have lived in the Omo Valley for thousands of years and have used annual river floods to irrigate their crops. A complete failure of the seasonal floods due to the construction of multiple hydroelectric dams upriver has prevented this irrigation. Tribal elders have searched for financial, political and technical solutions to restore their livelihoods. Without a viable solution, the tribe\u2019s traditional way of life and community is slowly crumbling; some are fleeing for food and protection, some are suffering alongside their children, and others have starved to death.<\/p>\n

In 2019, the Kara Tribe partnered with Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief (\u201cMiyamoto Relief\u201d), conservation management nonprofit Wild Philanthropy and its on-the-ground ecotourism operator, Wild Expeditions, to develop a technical solution for the loss of agricultural water and subsequent loss of food. This solution is a solar-powered, sustainable irrigation system. When fully operational, this system can support the establishment of a community farm that supplies the Kara with both water and food security.<\/p>\n

The program comes from a critical, time-sensitive need to take action in support of the tribes living along the Omo River. In January 2020, Miyamoto Relief gathered a team of technical engineering experts to visit the tribes of the Omo Valley and assess viable options for the solar-powered irrigation system. The team was graciously hosted by Lale Biwa, a Kara Elder, at his camp. The information and recommendations contained in this report are a result of this field visit, meetings in Addis Ababa with solar pump suppliers and Wild Expeditions, and subsequent research and engagement conducted post-visit. At this time, this report and the technical solution presented herein consider only the Kara people, Kara villages, and the five Kara community farms of Kundama, Chelete, Korcho, Labuk and Lale\u2019s Camp.<\/p>\n

In the following section, the team\u2019s technical engineering experts will be introduced, and an itinerary of the field visits conducted will be given. In Chapter 2, a brief overview of the team\u2019s approach and methodology is given. Chapter 3 contains an overview and recommendations for the existing pump at Lale\u2019s Camp. Chapter 4 provides information on how to pilot the recommended prototype system and Chapter 5 then discusses how that system may be replicated on other farms; aerial maps and site-specific information are provided. Chapter 6 gives an overview of community engagement within the tribes and provides recommendations to garner support and fundraise moving forward. Finally, Chapter 7 describes the recommended budget and schedule.<\/p>\n

Meet the Project Team<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Return Water to Ethiopian Tribes: Save Lives, Livelihoods, and Culture project represents a collaboration between Wild Philanthropy, Miyamoto Relief, and the Kara Tribe.<\/p>\n

Wild Philanthropy<\/a><\/h3>\n

Based out of the United Kingdom, Wild Philanthropy is a charitable foundation designed to protect at-risk ecosystems and to support and enable vulnerable communities in Africa to realize the value of conservation through tourism. Wild Philanthropy\u2019s ecotourism operating partner, Wild Expeditions, has a strong local presence and helps demonstrate the positive contributions that effective responsible tourism can have. Ongoing projects in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe aim to provide multiple ways to invest in the future of Africa, its people, wildlife, and wilderness.<\/p>\n

The foundation is financed by Friends of Wild Philanthropy and Journeys by Design, which covers operating costs and allows 100% of donations received to be passed on directly to on-the-ground projects, including the Kara Community Farm helmed by Lale Biwa. The existing pump for the Kara Farm, described in Chapter 3 below, was financed and sourced through Wild Philanthropy\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n

Miyamoto Relief<\/a><\/h3>\n

Headquartered in the United States, Miyamoto Relief applies engineering expertise to return hope to, and sustain life in, at-risk communities around the world that have been affected by all types of disasters. While we often focus on seismically upgrading schools to safeguard the most vulnerable lives and preserving cultural heritage through the strengthening of historic structures, our passion lies in helping underserved populations through engineering. We implement programs that empower community-led solutions that are resilient, climate-smart, and sustainable. By utilizing our global engineering and humanitarian experience, we provide exceptional technical solutions that strengthen structures and communities.<\/p>\n

Miyamoto has assessed, retrofitted, and restored schools in Haiti and Nepal, and led the restoration and seismic strengthening of the Gaddi Baithak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal. In the Omo Valley, Miyamoto Relief is assisting with technical design and implementation, as well as fundraising and outreach.<\/p>\n

Meet the Technical Team<\/a><\/h2>\n

The technical team came together in October 2019 after Dr. Kit Miyamoto, Sabine Kast and Lale Biwa gave a call to action at the 2019 Elevate the Industry conference, hosted by the Zweig Group. After hearing Dr. Miyamoto and Lale speak about the challenges the Kara Tribe are currently facing, Pete Atherton, Dustin Rosepink, Daniel Harsadi and Blake Calvert were moved to lend their personal and professional expertise and support. The technical team came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 13, 2020 to begin works.<\/p>\n

The technical team supporting these works is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nDr. Kit Miyamoto is the President of Miyamoto Relief, and the President and CEO of Miyamoto International, Inc, a global structural engineering firm and disaster-risk reduction firm providing resiliency expertise that sustains industries and safeguards communities around the world. Dr. Miyamoto is a world-leading expert in disaster risk reduction, disaster response and reconstruction, and is passionate about projects that increase resilience and save lives worldwide.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"C:UserscbilgramAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCacheContent.MSO3545929D.tmp\"<\/td>\nPete Atherton, P.E., is a civil engineer and President and Founder of ActionsProve, LLC, a firm that supports high-achieving professionals and organizations with strategic planning, executive coaching, leadership and more. He is an accomplished consultant and coach, with over 26 years of experience as a professional engineer. Pete has been helping indigenous groups in Nicaragua to build irrigation systems and improve livelihoods for over 15 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge on engineering solutions for sustainable water systems and community engagement.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"About<\/td>\nDustin Rosepink, S.E, is the CEO of 4 S.T.E.L. Engineering Inc, a structural engineering firm that is passionate about designing safe and resilient structures to protect lives. Dustin and his firm are pioneers in the solar energy and renewables market and are experts on solar-powered irrigation systems. Dustin is actively involved in community activities in California, where he supports local non-profits and provides opportunities for his employees to serve as well. Dustin is a mission-driven leader who advocates for safe engineering and helping others.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\nDaniel Harsadi, P.E., is a Senior Electrical Engineer at 4 S.T.E.L. Engineering, Inc. He has been an electrical engineer for more than 15 years and has considerable experience with renewable energies. He is an expert on bridging the gap between engineering and constructability to ensure design and construction are streamlined and efficient. Daniel has been at 4 S.T.E.L. for one year and is leading the creation of their Electrical Engineering Division. He is active in his community and works to support at-risk families at home and abroad.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"Blake<\/td>\nBlake Calvert, P.E., is the President and CEO of CORE Consultants, Inc. Based in Littleton, Colorado, CORE Consultants offers civil engineering, natural resources and land surveying services. Blake and his firm have a passion for what they do, and work to innovate, learn and challenge themselves daily. With degrees in civil and environmental engineering, Blake brings experience in land surveying and development, engineering and operations. He empowers his employees to support nonprofit causes and leads by example through active community engagement.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\nSabine Kast is the Executive Director of Miyamoto Relief and the Director of International Programs at Miyamoto International. She is a globally recognized leader in urban disaster risk management and policy. Her leadership skills enable her to build and effectively manage multi-disciplinary expert teams in both pre- and post-disaster situations. Her passion is to save lives in underserved and disaster-prone communities. When Sabine visited the Omo in August 2019, the cultural landscape and resilience of the community inspired her to facilitate Miyamoto Relief\u2019s support.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\nCalley Bilgram is the Senior International Program Specialist for Miyamoto Relief and Miyamoto International. She holds a Master of Science in Transition Management and has managed development projects related to disaster risk reduction, infrastructure resilience, and microfinance. She supports the development, implementation and compliance for DRR projects funded by USAID, the World Bank, IDB, and more. She is passionate about supporting at-risk communities by utilizing a technical yet holistic, participatory approach.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Site Visit: January 2020<\/a><\/h2>\n

The technical team, consisting of Pete Atherton, Dustin Rosepink, Daniel Harsadi, Blake Calvert and Calley Bilgram, visited the Omo Valley from January 14\u2013January 20, 2020. The team was hosted by Lale Biwa, an Elder from the Kara Tribe and a member of Wild Expeditions, at his camp along the Omo River. The team conducted site visits to investigate previously installed diesel water pump systems, allotted farmland for community farms, and other existing infrastructure. The team was also given the opportunity to visit other tribes in the area, namely the Hamer and Mursi, where they were warmly welcomed, learned about the tribe\u2019s culture and traditions, and heard firsthand accounts of the struggles the tribes are currently facing. Below is a detailed outline of the site visits, including noteworthy technical observations and relevant information, followed by two maps that show the locations that were visited and a map of Dus, the main village of the Kara Tribe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Day<\/td>\nActivities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 1<\/p>\n

Tuesday
\nJan. 14, 2020<\/td>\n

The team arrived to Jinka in the early afternoon on Tuesday, January 14, and drove to Lale\u2019s Camp. We arrived late in the evening and were warmly greeted by Lale and his team.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 2<\/p>\n

Wednesday
\nJan. 15, 2020<\/td>\n

The team visited multiple farming sites and the Kara village of Dus. The following was noted:<\/p>\n

1. The Kara Community Farm near Lale\u2019s Camp: the team investigated the existing pump system, including solar panels and the floating pump.<\/p>\n

2. Kundama: This farm provides food for the village of Dus and around 20 Kara live here. The site had two broken, unused diesel pumps and there was farmland along the riverbank and up on the hill. A system of canals has been dug here to facilitate irrigation of crops.<\/p>\n

3. Dus: The main Kara village of Dus has around 850 people and existing outdated infrastructure, including a manual pump and pump room, water treatment systems, etc. The team explored the various structures on site, including the Elder Meeting House, and heard about the rich culture and traditions of the Kara Tribe from Lale.<\/p>\n

4. Chelete: The team visited the village of Chelete, which has 40-50 people, and their farm, which had one fully operational diesel pump of considerable size. There was also a stilling basin and canal that were functioning well.<\/p>\n

5. Korcho: Finally, the team visited the farmland of the Korcho village, which has about 100 people and also had a large electric pump that was operational. There were manmade canals and a concrete basin on-site.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Day 3<\/p>\n

Thursday
\nJan. 16, 2020<\/td>\n

On this day, the technical team met with the village elders to hear the needs of the community and explain our mission and purpose for visiting their tribe. The Kara Elders communicated their desire for progress and self-reliance, but also the need for someone to show them the way. The following needs were told to the team from the Kara Elders:<\/p>\n

Food insecurity \u2013 there is a lack of food in the village, forcing people to forage in the forest. The Elders have disdain for the diesel pumps that were installed by the Government of Ethiopia because without the necessary training and maintenance, they quit working after three months. They need food to survive; this is the top priority.<\/p>\n

Education \u2013 the school near Dus is slowly decreasing in its attendance and without proper learning materials, clean and accessible water, and food, it is impossible for children to learn. The female Kara Elder asked us how children are supposed to learn without food and stressed the important correlation between education and food security.<\/p>\n

Health \u2013 many have died recently in the Kara Tribe, and the Elders asked for more support to the clinic and medications.<\/p>\n

Water \u2013 women are responsible for collecting water from the river and bringing it to their villages. This is a time-consuming and hard task, made more dangerous by the presence of crocodiles in the river. The Elders asked for support to pump or collect water.<\/p>\n

Farmland \u2013 there is a need for machinery or more advanced tools to help clear farmland.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

The team also visited the village of Labuk, which had one broken diesel pump, an earthen basin, and well-made manmade canals. Around 200 people are living in Labuk.<\/p>\n

In the evening, the team was warmly welcomed into the village of Dus and viewed their traditional dance ceremony.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Day 4<\/p>\n

Friday
\nJan. 17, 2020<\/td>\n

On the fourth day, we visited the Mursi tribe. The Mursi live 3 hours upriver, by boat, and have their own unique cultural traditions and language. The team learned a great deal about their way of life and possible interventions that could support the Mursi in the future, such as improved agricultural techniques and education.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 5<\/p>\n

Saturday
\nJan.18, 2020<\/td>\n

The team visited the Hamer tribe on the fifth day, where we saw their impressive flocks of goats and cattle, learned about their cultural traditions, and heard how the various tribes who were once enemies are now allies in order to combat these challenging times together. The Hamer are living on Kara land, so they have easier access to the Omo River to water their herds. Due to the building methods of the Hamer, we also discussed the possibility of using their structures to harvest rainwater.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon, the team had a technical brainstorm for the solar-powered irrigation system. We discussed possible solutions, information we had and what was required, next steps for when we return to Addis, etc. We also visited the Kara Community Farm again to survey the land and collect information on the solar panels and pump.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Day 6<\/p>\n

Sunday
\nJan. 19, 2020<\/td>\n

On our last full day in the Omo, we visited the village of Dus again to inspect the existing infrastructure and meet with the representative from the clinic run by the German NGO, humedica[1]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon, we met again with Kara Elders to communicate our findings, our recommendations, and reiterate our commitment to support their tribe. The Kara Elders slaughtered four goats to commemorate our visit, and we were honored to participate in their feast. In the evening, they welcomed us to participate in their dancing ceremony.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Day 7<\/p>\n

Monday
\nJan. 20, 2020<\/td>\n

On Day 7, we visited the village of Korcho on our way to the air strip. The village of Korcho was in a different area than the farmland we visited on Day 1, but we were informed that solar panels and other infrastructure may be stored there. We also were able to view the plot of land cleared and developed for a Turkish cotton factory. While the infrastructure and supplies there were not usable, it was a valuable visit to see what other progress has been made in the region.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Figure\u00a01.Southern Ethiopia vicinity map & location of Kara tribes in the Omo Valley (Source: Google Earth)<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Figure\u00a02. Villages and tribes visited within the Omo Valley (Source: Google Earth)<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Figure\u00a03.Dus village and humedica NGO (Source: Google Earth)<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Approach and Methodology<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The technical team came together in Addis Ababa on January 13, 2020, to begin works. The following gives a high-level overview of the approach and methodology taken.<\/p>\n

Approach<\/a><\/h2>\n

The technical team strived to undertake a technical yet holistic and participatory approach to this project. We are a diverse team of engineers (and humanitarians) who worked together to investigate, assess and deeply consider the current state of the farms, the tribes, and what was needed. We communicated our thoughts and plans openly with Kara Elders and Lale Biwa to confirm any assumptions and get their buy-in throughout the process.<\/p>\n

By engaging in a holistic approach, we were able to see the broader picture and consider the social and environmental impacts our technical solution may have. We were innovative in our thought processes while also drawing on past experiences and lessons learned from recent interventions in the Omo. Within our technical team, there is firsthand experience with solar-powered systems, irrigation systems in underdeveloped areas, geotechnical investigations, etc., and by using the team\u2019s expertise coupled with input from the local community, we were able to adapt this unique approach to support the Kara Tribe.<\/p>\n

Methodology<\/a><\/h2>\n

The participatory approach lends itself to our methodology, which included a site visit to the Omo Valley. We visited the Omo Valley in order to better understand the current state of the existing pump at Lale\u2019s Camp, to gather information and lessons learned on what has been done in the Omo thus far, to assess the topography of the farmland and river to support the design of a technical solution, and to gain an understanding of the cultural context. Our research goals revolved around the question: what kind of irrigation system can we create that is efficient, sustainable and cost-effective?<\/p>\n

Outside of the site visit, we also conducted extensive research on various irrigation systems, lessons learned and best practices within Ethiopia, and fit-for-purpose technical solutions. Much of the research on lessons learned and best practices came through discussions with various organizations and agencies successfully working in Ethiopia and East Africa. There is further information about outreach conducted in Chapter 6.<\/p>\n

Limitations<\/a><\/h2>\n

There are a few limiting factors to our study and recommendations, including:<\/p>\n

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