Werder (woreda)
Encyclopedia
Werder is one of the 47 woreda
s in the Somali Region
of Ethiopia
, named after its administrative center, Werder
. Part of the Werder Zone
, its boundaries shown by official sources vary. On the OCHA
map for the Somali Region (copyright 2003), Werder is bordered on the south by the Gode Zone
, on the west by the Korahe Zone
, on the north by the Degehabur Zone
, on the east by Danot
, and on the east by Geladin
. However on the map of the Ethiopian Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (copyright 2006), Werder extends east to the Provisional Administrative Line
with Somalia
separating Geladin from the Korahe Zone, which shares its boundary on the entire south and east sides.
Before 1960, the only water available during the dry season in Werder woreda were the Werder wells and those in its vicinity: Welwel
, Gerlogube, Afyerado, Ubatale, Wafdug and Yo'ub. Ogaden
, Majeerteen
and Isaaq
pastoralists watered from these wells. In the years after 1960 the construction of private birkas (underground concrete water tanks), which greatly increased after 1970. While this allowed the area that was previously grazed mainly in the wet season to now be grazed throughout the dry season, it has also led to a serious decline in the native species most favored for fodder and grazing in this woreda.
The woreda was greatly affected by Ethiopian military actions
. According to Human Rights Watch
, in late May and June of 2007, the Ethiopian army and Regional authorities forced the inhabitants of numerous villages within a 60-kilometer radius of the administrative center, including Aado (Caado), Arowela, Daratoole, Dhurwaa-Hararaf, Lahelow, Neef-Kuceliye, Qamuuda, Ubatale, Wa’di, Ubatale, Wafdug and Yo'ub. Over the following weeks, many of these villages were then burned: Daratoole in mid-June; Lahelow in late June; Neef-Kuceliye on 23 June; Aado and Wa’di in mid-July.
in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 123,625, of whom 68,158 are men and 55,467 are women; 14.85% or 10,121 of its population are urban dwellers, which is greater than the Zone average of 9.2%. Information is not available on the area of Werder, so its density cannot be calculated. This woreda is primarily inhabited by the Ogaaden-Majeerten, both sub-clans of the Somali
Darood
clan. The Ogaaden inhabit the northern and western parts wheres the majeerten inhabit the eastern parts of the woreda.
The 1997 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 98,699, of whom 55,320 were men and 43,379 were women; 12,309 or 12.47% of its population were urban dwellers. The largest ethnic group reported in Werder was the Somali
98,447 (99.9%).
Woreda
Woreda is an administrative division of Ethiopia , equivalent to a district . Woredas are composed of a number of Kebele, or neighborhood associations, which are the smallest unit of local government in Ethiopia...
s in the Somali Region
Somali Region
Somali Region ; is the eastern-most of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia. It is often called Somalia, though it is not to be confused with the independent country of the same name. The capital of Somali State is Jijiga...
of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, named after its administrative center, Werder
Werder, Ethiopia
Werder is a town in eastern Ethiopia. Located in the Werder Zone of the Somali Region, Werder has a latitude and longitude of with an elevation of 541 meters above sea level...
. Part of the Werder Zone
Werder Zone
Werder is one of nine Zones of the Somali Region in Ethiopia. This zone is named after its largest city, Werder. Werder is bordered on the south by Gode, on the west by Korahe, on the northwest by Degehabur, and on the northeast and southeast by Somalia...
, its boundaries shown by official sources vary. On the OCHA
Ocha
Ocha is a genus of moth in the family Lasiocampidae....
map for the Somali Region (copyright 2003), Werder is bordered on the south by the Gode Zone
Gode Zone
Gode is one of nine Zones of the Somali Region, Ogaden, of Ethiopia. This zone is named for its largest city, Gode. Gode is bordered on the south by Afder, on the west by the Oromia Region, on the north by Fiq and Degehabur, on the northeast by Korahe and Werder, and on the east by the Provisional...
, on the west by the Korahe Zone
Korahe Zone
Korahe is one of nine Zones of the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Korahe is bordered on the south and west by Gode, on the north by Degehabur, and on the east by Werder...
, on the north by the Degehabur Zone
Degehabur Zone
Degehabur Zone is one of the nine Zones in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. This zone is named after its largest city, Degehabur. Degehabur Zone is bordered on the south by Korahe, on the west by Fiq, on the northwest by the Oromia Region, on the north by Jijiga and Somalia, and on the east by...
, on the east by Danot
Danot (woreda)
Danot is one of the 47 woredas in the Somali Region of Ethiopia, named after its major town, Danot. Part of the Werder Zone, Danot is bordered on the south by Werder, on the west by the Degehabur Zone, on the north by Somalia, and on the east by Boh....
, and on the east by Geladin
Geladin (woreda)
Geladin is one of the 47 woredas in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Werder Zone, its boundaries shown by official sources vary. On the OCHA map for the Somali Region , Geladin is bordered on the south by the Gode Zone, on the west by Werder, on the northeast by Boh, and on the east by...
. However on the map of the Ethiopian Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (copyright 2006), Werder extends east to the Provisional Administrative Line
Provisional Administrative Line
A Provisional Administrative Line is a de facto border between two countries. For example, part of the border between Ethiopia and Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line....
with Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
separating Geladin from the Korahe Zone, which shares its boundary on the entire south and east sides.
Overview
The average elevation in this woreda is 943 meters above sea level. , Werder has no all-weather gravel road nor any community roads; about 7.25% of the total population has access to drinking water.Before 1960, the only water available during the dry season in Werder woreda were the Werder wells and those in its vicinity: Welwel
Welwel, Ethiopia
Welwel , is a town in eastern Ethiopia known as the Ogaden. Located in the Werder Zone of the Somali Region, this town has a longitude and latitude of with an elevation of 570 meters above sea level...
, Gerlogube, Afyerado, Ubatale, Wafdug and Yo'ub. Ogaden
Ogaden (clan)
The Ogaden is a Somali clan, and one of the largest Darod subclans.-Overview:Members of the Ogaden clan primarily live in the central Ogaden plateau of Ethiopia , the North Eastern Province of Kenya, and the Jubaland region of Southern Somalia...
, Majeerteen
Majeerteen
The Majeerteen is a Somali clan. Its members form a part of the Harti confederation of Darod sub-clans, and primarily inhabit the Puntland region in northeastern Somalia....
and Isaaq
Isaaq
The Isaaq is one of the main Somali clans. Members of the clan principally live in the northwestern Somaliland region of Somalia, and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The populations of five major cities of Somaliland – Hargeisa, Burco, Berbera, Ceerigaabo and Gabiley – are predominantly Isaaq...
pastoralists watered from these wells. In the years after 1960 the construction of private birkas (underground concrete water tanks), which greatly increased after 1970. While this allowed the area that was previously grazed mainly in the wet season to now be grazed throughout the dry season, it has also led to a serious decline in the native species most favored for fodder and grazing in this woreda.
The woreda was greatly affected by Ethiopian military actions
2007–2008 Ethiopian crackdown in Ogaden
The 2007–2008 Ethiopian crackdown in Ogaden was a campaign involving the Ethiopian Army on the offensive against the rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front...
. According to Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
, in late May and June of 2007, the Ethiopian army and Regional authorities forced the inhabitants of numerous villages within a 60-kilometer radius of the administrative center, including Aado (Caado), Arowela, Daratoole, Dhurwaa-Hararaf, Lahelow, Neef-Kuceliye, Qamuuda, Ubatale, Wa’di, Ubatale, Wafdug and Yo'ub. Over the following weeks, many of these villages were then burned: Daratoole in mid-June; Lahelow in late June; Neef-Kuceliye on 23 June; Aado and Wa’di in mid-July.
Demographics
Based on figures published by the Central Statistical AgencyCentral Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)
The Central Statistical Agency is an agency of the government of Ethiopia designated to provide all surveys and censuses for that country used to monitor economic and social growth, as well as to act as an official training center in that field. It is part of the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and...
in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 123,625, of whom 68,158 are men and 55,467 are women; 14.85% or 10,121 of its population are urban dwellers, which is greater than the Zone average of 9.2%. Information is not available on the area of Werder, so its density cannot be calculated. This woreda is primarily inhabited by the Ogaaden-Majeerten, both sub-clans of the Somali
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
Darood
Darood
Darood can mean:*Darod, a Somali clan*Durood, a phrase complimenting Muhammad*Darood, a Sufi concentration...
clan. The Ogaaden inhabit the northern and western parts wheres the majeerten inhabit the eastern parts of the woreda.
The 1997 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 98,699, of whom 55,320 were men and 43,379 were women; 12,309 or 12.47% of its population were urban dwellers. The largest ethnic group reported in Werder was the Somali
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
98,447 (99.9%).