Darfur’s Struggle for Water

As competition over Darfur’s natural water resources is one of the major drivers of the decade-long conflict here, UNAMID and its partners have been working to address this issue.

By Albert González Farran

Darfur’s rains usually fall between the months of June and September, replenishing the dry river valleys and lakebeds across the region. However, this bounty is short-lived; the rest of the year is almost completely devoid of rainfall, obligating those living here to store enough water to irrigate their lands, support their animals and meet the needs of their families through the dry seasons. Doing so is not an easy feat in such a dry climate, and requires innovative methods to counter the crippling lack of this precious resource.

In North Darfur, the driest state in the region, the climate has made farming difficult in recent years. As a result, many people have abandoned agricultural activities to seek better opportunities in urban areas or in nearby camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The welfare of IDPs, of prime importance to redevelopment activities in Darfur, is deeply connected to the water situation here, with water serving as a basic foundation upon which communities are able to sustain livelihood activities.

The scarcity of water in North Darfur is acutely felt in the numerous camps for IDPs that are spread across the Darfuri landscape and grouped near urban areas. In many of these camps, water is available only for a few hours each day; peaceful mornings in the camps are sometimes punctuated by loud arguments about equitably allocating this valuable supply among the throngs of women and children gathered at designated water points. As a result of the shortage, many people are forced to return to their shelters with empty jerry cans.

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A farmer, a leader of the local community in Madjoub, North Darfur, inspects a damaged dam in his locality. The villagers managed to store some rainwater, but it was not enough to carry them through the dry season; the lack of water makes it impossible for farmers to cultivate crops.