Overview
Recurring droughts across southern Somalia have severely depleted
traditional water sources, forcing communities to rely on unsafe alternatives
and driving increased incidence of waterborne disease. To address this
crisis in Jubaland, UNICEF Somalia engaged SETAC to provide
independent supervision and monitoring for the drilling, equipping, and
construction of more than twenty boreholes across the region. SETAC’s
supervision mandate covered the full borehole lifecycle — from initial
drilling oversight through pumping tests, water quality analysis, pump
installation, and final commissioning.
SETAC deployed experienced water engineers to each drilling site,
conducting daily supervision of borehole drilling contractors, verifying
compliance with technical specifications, and ensuring full adherence to
UNICEF’s environmental and social safeguards. Pumping tests and
recovery tests were conducted at each completed borehole to verify yield
and sustainability. Water quality samples were collected and submitted to
accredited laboratories, with results reviewed and certified by SETAC’s
engineers. Comprehensive technical reports, commissioning certificates,
and as-built documentation were delivered to UNICEF for each borehole
upon completion.
THE CHALLENGE
Supervising borehole works across widely dispersed sites in Jubaland — a
region with limited road infrastructure and challenging logistical conditions
— required careful field planning, experienced mobile supervision teams,
and real-time communication with UNICEF’s programme office. SETAC’s
established field presence in southern Somalia and our systematic
reporting methodology ensured that UNICEF maintained full visibility and
control throughout the drilling programme.
