So far, the last four rainy seasons have failed in Raya Valley. The regional government has responded by transporting in and distributing water to those worst affected. As a long term measure, 200 new deep wells have been drilled and many more have been planned. President Tsegay asked for Norwegian assistance to equip the wells with pumps connected to the power grid or supplied with generators.
Ato Tsegay Berhe attributes the increasingly frequent droughts to the ongoing climate change. However, the ground water in Raya valley is supplied from the surrounding highlands, where the rains are more reliable said Mr. Michael Thiehaye Wubet, head of Tigray Water Resources, Mines and Energy Bureau. Villagers told Ambassador Kjemprud that the water provided by the authorities was a great relief but that it was too little and the village water tank was a great attraction to outsiders. A local militia had been set up to protect the water supply.
The effect of a working well was made clear to the visitors outside the town of Mohoni, where a steady supply of water meant that cactuses and dry bushes had been replaced by fields of maize, tomatoes, sorghum and onions. The well provided water for 168 families, 500-600 individuals, many of which had gathered to meet President Tsegay and Ambassador Kjemprud. The three Norwegians were offered bufes, traditional Raya clothing.
The delegation was also shown a recently established coffee production facility established by Ethiopian-Canadian Tsegereda Assgedom. Her company Sheba Enterprises sold the top quality Tigray coffee under their own brand in Canada.
Before returning to Mekele via the spectacular Grakasoo road through the highland mountains, a stop was made in the town of Alamata where the head of administration treated the delegation with complete sets of Raya costumes: bufes, sandals and walking sticks.