Somalia: Consultancy- Hydrogeological/Geophysical Surveyor

Aug 21, 2018 | Action Against Hunger
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Hydrogeological/Geophysical Survey in Hudur district, Somalia

Location: Hudur District, Bakool region, Somalia

1. Background

Action Against Hunger is one of the major humanitarian actors in Somalia since May 1992. Action Against Hunger entry into the country was as a result of a major famine outbreak in 1992, which claimed many lives. During its 19-year presence, ACF has provided support in Nutrition; Medical; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; and Food Security livelihood sectors in six (6) regions namely Galgaduud, Banadir, Bakool, Gedo, Bay and Nugaal regions. Currently, AAH is present in three regions of South-Central Somalia namely Bakool, Banadir, and Lower Shabelle and also in Puntland (Nugaal region). In 1995, due to overwhelming humanitarian needs in Mogadishu, AAH launched a health and nutrition programme in the city, which has been running to date, despite the challenges humanitarian agencies continue to face. With deteriorating humanitarian situation in South- Central Somalia in 1999, AAH responded to the crisis by opening a base in Luuq (Gedo region) and five years later opened operations in Bakool region, which continued to run until to date. Operations in Lower Shabelle and Nugaal regions were opened in 2013/14. AAH has developed programmes in nutrition, health, food security and WASH sectors in these areas.

1.1 Location

Hudur District is one of the 5 districts in Bakool region. It is located in southwestern Somalia and sits at 4°7′12″N 43°53′16″E. it is on the Somalia-Ethiopia border and neighbours Elbarde (90Km) to the East, Gode Ethiopia (160Km) to the north, Barey Ethiopia (140Km) to the west and Atto (45Km) to the southwest. The district has an estimated population 110,003 mainly dependent on livestock, rain-fed farming and petty trade. However, the local authority estimates the populations to be higher as a large number of IDPs and pastoral dropouts have been coming to the urban settlements especially Yeed town. Hudur district is mainly inhabited by pastoralists, has been badly affected by the increasing frequency of drought cycles, which in 2011 lead to the death of a great part of the livestock due to larger distances to water points. The 2017 Horn of Africa drought badly ravaged livelihoods in the district. The frequent displacement of populations has also exacerbated the pressure on the fragile environment (water resources, land degradation, etc.) especially in the villages neighbouring Hudur town.

1.2 Project Description

The Global Affairs Canada (GAC) project in Hudur and Wajiid districts is a multi-year humanitarian project whose goal is to contribute towards reducing morbidity and mortality through an integrated emergency cash assistance, nutrition, health, and WASH responses for disaster-affected vulnerable populations in Bakool region. To achieve this goal, an estimated 37,800 individuals (15,000 IDPs and 22,800 Host community members), affected by displacement and conflict in Hudur and Wajiid, will have improved nutritional knowledge and status, through improved access to preventive and curative Nutrition, Primary Health Care services; emergency and enhanced WASH support, having met their basic needs through conditional and unconditional cash transfer.

The WASH intervention aims at increasing access to safe clean water and sanitation services for emergency affected women, men, boys and girls among target IDP and host communities in Hudur and Wajid districs. The project has provided emergency water through water trucking, rehabilitated water points, set up adapted sanitation facilities and promote hygiene practices. The WASH response is developed based on the WASH cluster objectives and HRP 2017 (including the revised HRP). To ensure sustained access to safe drinking water for the disaster affected population in Hudur, AAH plans to drill a multipurpose water borehole in Faraq village outside Hudur town. The BH is expected to serve the neighbouring villages especially as a filling point for water bowsers during dry seasons.

In this regard ACF is sourcing for a hydro geologist to conduct a comprehensive Hydro-geological /Geophysical Survey and related studies for the area (including neighbouring villages). The purpose of the hydro-geological /geophysical survey is to explore the possibility of identifying a groundwater source for the Hudur rural communities. The Survey will aim at evaluating the groundwater situation as it is, through;

1. Collecting any available relevant data (e.g. drilling logs, use of local knowledge from the team of local experts),
2. Evaluating data from the surrounding boreholes,
3. Reviewing available previous hydrogeological survey reports from the neighbouring districts
4. Carrying out field geophysical measurements and
5. Prepare the survey report which will be in accordance with standards set in this ToR and shall meet ACF, Donor, Government and community objectives of drilling a successful borehole that will provide sufficient water for domestic and livestock use.

To support the survey ACF will consult the community, government representatives and a team of local experts to identify 5 potential sites for a new borehole (however, these locations can be modified by the consultant depending on desk and field level studies).

2. Overall and specific objectives of the Consultancy work

The overall objective of this study is to conduct comprehensive Hydro-geological /Geophysical Survey in Hudur District. The Consultant is expected to use both secondary and primary data in the exercise; Secondary data will involve desk study of available information/data on existing boreholes, drill logs, reports and maps while primary data will be obtained by carrying out Hydro-geophysical measurements within the study area using the necessary hydro-geological surveying equipment.

The outcome of the consultancy will be a detailed hydro-geological survey report giving details of the findings and recommendations

2.1 Specific Objectives:

• Document existing knowledge on abstractions and ground water in the area (make use of information provided by the local team of experts)
• Undertake geophysical survey for 5 locations identified by ACF. For each site assess feasibility and if possible recommend installation depth for pump and estimated yield
• Prepare water balance for the area and identify safe level of water abstraction
• Prepare summary of areas hydrogeology and geology including major faults
• Prepare indicative construction BOQs and drawings for new water points

3. Scope of the Work:

The hydro-geological/geophysical investigations will be carried out in a multi-step approach;

• Desk study: Review of existing data, topographical maps, satellite images, existing studies and borehole site investigations in the area, meteorology, geological reports and maps (if available), borehole and surface water records, etc.
• Hydro-geological fieldwork: Detailed reconnaissance survey of project area. (GPS co-ordinates/P-codes, water level measurements, condition and performance of these boreholes, usage and performance where applicable) inspection of geological, geo-morphological and structural characteristics of the investigated area; verification of existing data and findings.
• Geophysical survey at 5 sites (resistivity/IP profiling or vertical electrical/IP soundings)
• Analysis of hydro-geological/geophysical data.
• Compilation, analysis, and evaluation of the gathered data and information.
• Site selection and Prepare recommendation report

4. Expected output of the consultancy

• Hydrogeological report including
• Desk review of hydrogeology, geology (identify potential faults
• Overview of existing abstractions in Elbarde District
• Geophysics investigation results for proposed locations detailing proposed drilling depth and pump installation depth
• Analysis of the geology, based on desk study, current abstraction and geophysical investigation develop Water balance, set maximum abstractions for proposed boreholes and prepare recommendations for future drilling.
• Recommendations report prioritizing the boreholes, rehabilitations needed for the existing boreholes BOQ and drawings for the new boreholes (including drilling, pump installation, solar array and tap stands/troughs)

5. Roles and responsibilities

5.1. Consultant will:

• Be familiar with Somali context
• Have experience of drilling, Hydrology and geophysical investigation and show previous geophysical analysis reports
• Have experience in WaSH and deliver his valid testimonials that show his involvement in similar consultancy work;
• Prior agreement with the methodology of lit review, sampling, data collection and other relevant issues;
• Cover all expenses as per the ToR;
• Delivery of reports in hard and soft copy for the client;

5.2. ACF will be:

• Arrange discussion session on stakeholder interviews
• Arrange discussions with the local team of experts pre and post study
• Prepare contractual agreement as per the offer;
• Arrange security briefing;
• Provide relevant documents available in ACF ;
• Provide official addresses of contact persons;
• Comment on the draft reports
• Facilitate debriefing workshop
• Effect payments as per the agreement

6. Time frame

The assignment will take 1.5 weeks or Ten Days and will be conducted in August, 2018. The schedule shall be determined in discussion between ACF and the Consultant.