Somaliland stricken by drought: 'We need what all humans need' | Clár Ní Chonghaile

They eke out an existence in the face of myriad humanitarian, environmental and political challenges. Now people in rural Somaliland face a debilitating drought that threatens to change their way of life forever

Hassan Haji Towakal has lived in one of the world's toughest environments for 80 years. He has seen many droughts, but the recent prolonged lack of rainfall is the worst he has experienced in Somaliland, the breakaway country situated in Somalia's relatively peaceful northern corner.

The drought, which has left roughly 240,000 people without enough food and killed between 35% to 40% of Somaliland's precious livestock, has also made Haji Towakal question the future of pastoralism - the only life he has known.