Members of the U.S. Army’s 404th Civil Affairs Battalion meets with Salt Water Rest Stop village elders for the first time, at Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The civil affairs members assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, act as liaisons between the military and their civilian counterparts. They identify critical requirements needed by local civilians while seeking to build trust and confidence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

Yousef Yousef, an interpreter embedded with members of the U.S. Army 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, left, communicates with Salt Water Rest Stop village elders near Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The team, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, sought to strengthen partnerships with the village by understanding the utility and significance of Lac Abbé. This is the team’s first interaction with the rural village. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

U.S. Army Spc. Caitlyn Lacomb, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, collects a water sample in a creek near the arid Lac Abbé in Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The team assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, traveled approximately 100 miles to gather water samples and learn about the biology of the lake, along with it’s utility to the nearby village. While there, the elders said it has not rained in two years, causing a drought and increasing malnourishment amongst the population. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

Salt Water Rest Stop village elders and members of the U.S. Army 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, walk around Lake Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. Recurrent drought in the region has made life difficult for the herdsman, losing up to seventy percent of their livestock. Every few month volunteers drop off food and water to assist with malnourishment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

Kami Hassam, Salt Water Rest Stop village elder stands in the village’s nutrition center at Lake Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The elders give a tour to members of the U.S. Army 404th Civil Affairs Battalion. They elders said volunteers drop off goat’s milk, peanut butter and water every few months to assist with the malnourished population. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

Donkeys eat grass at a creek near Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. It is the only water source found for miles within the desolate area. Members of U.S. Army 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, traveled to Lac Abbé to learn about the arid lake’s utility to the nearby village since the reoccurring droughts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Domalski, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion specialist and medic, shakes a Salt Water Rest Stop village elder’s hand upon departing near Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. Members of the team are assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes

Members of the U.S. Army’s 404th Civil Affairs Battalion prepare to pack up for their trip home from Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The team met village elders for the first time, to better understand the significance and utility of the nearby arid lake, along with the village’s nutrition center. The team is assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa and act as liaisons between the military and their civilian counterparts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)