EL FASHER - The completion of a UNAMID-supported borehole at El Fasher Airport, North Darfur, will help to meet the water and sanitation needs associated with a growing number of passengers.

 UNAMID’s Water and Environmental Protection Unit finished work on the borehole on 5 July 2017.

 According to airport authorities, traffic at the airport has increased over the last couple of years, with growing numbers of people using the terminal building. As a result, the need for enhanced sanitation and hygiene facilities has similarly increased. For the past several years, the airport’s water needs were met by regular UNAMID-supported water deliveries by truck.

El Rasheed Abdulrahman, Director of Engineering Department at El Fasher Airport, said the new borehole will supply water to the passenger terminal and to the firefighting team, among other uses. He commended UNAMID for their assistance and partnership with airport authorities.

Olatunji Ayeni, Chief of UNAMID’s Water and Environmental Protection Unit, said that the airport project is part of the Mission’s community support programme, which helps communities throughout Darfur.

 Another example of UNAMID community support were relief efforts in Sortony, North Darfur. The Mission conducted a hydrological survey and drilled five boreholes in order to provide water to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the area.

Mr. Ayeni said that the Mission also provides support to the United Nations Country Team in accordance with its mandate to help communities, particularly IDPs. UNAMID also works with community-based organizations to conduct greening campaigns such as through the planting trees, including economically viable species.