Abdifatah and his family made it safely to Dadaab

“We left because of the drought,” said Mohamed, “and because there is much fighting at home.” Hoping for a better life for his family, Mohamed packed what little food they could carry and began walking from Kismayu, a city in southern Somalia, toward Dadaab, leaving behind their home and belongings. Abdifatah, the oldest child, said that he was very scared along the way. “There was little water and I was very thirsty,” he said.

They walked for 15 days drinking a little tea in the morning and a bit of maize, as the merciless sun beat down on them every step of the way. Today, Abdifatah sat with his family among hundreds of other refugees waiting for their name to be called. A tall man wearing a blue vest ushered them into the next waiting area.

Other families were carrying bags of belongings and food, however Abdifatah’s parents carried their youngest children (Abdifatah’s mother is pictured), leaving no room for personal possessions. Mohamed, a weathered man, shook his head. “We have nothing,” he said.

Thank you all for your incredible support which makes sure families like Abdifatah’s have access to food and water.