By Sharon Lukunka

Water, perhaps one of the most precious resources in Darfur, is one of the key non-political drivers of the ongoing conflict across the region. Since agriculture forms the mainstay of the economy here, reduced rainfall in this region of Sudan has led to insufficient sources of water and heightened clashes between local communities, especially farmers and pastoralists, resulting in loss of life, property and, in some cases, large population displacements.

To help improve access to water, reduce the risks of conflict, flooding and drought, and support livelihoods in Darfur, the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is working closely with local communities and the Sudanese government to rehabilitate natural water sources known as rihoods.

Rihoods are natural catchments of rain water, where water is stored for use during the dry season. As part of its mandated tasks of supporting the mediation of community conflict, including through measures to address its root causes, UNAMID’s Civil Affairs Section in collaboration with the Nomadic Development Council and funded by the Government of Japan, has begun the rehabilitation of 100 rihoods across Darfur—35 in East Darfur, 16 in North Darfur, 20 in South Darfur, 21 in West Darfur and 8 in Central Darfur. This project aims at increasing access to and availability of existing water resources for the pastoral community along migratory routes and in some selected grazing lands, keeping pastoralists away from forcibly encroaching on people’s farms and, hence, preventing conflict.

Additionally, the Mission’s Water and Environmental Section has rehabilitated three earth dams in South Darfur which are used to collect rain water. Water collected in this fashion is used for agriculture and livestock by the community. UNAMID has also installed water gutters throughout its bases to collect water during the rainy season.

“UNAMID is committed to ensuring that Darfuris live in peace. Working with its local and international partners, the Mission, therefore, continues to support the development of additional water points in the region to improve access to safe water and sanitation services for Darfur’s displaced population and host communities,” said Emmanuel Mollel, Chief, Water and Environmental Protection, UNAMID.

Keeping in mind the vital role played by water resources across the world, March 22 is celebrated annually as World Water Day. This year’s theme, ‘Water and Sustainable Development,’ underscores the indelible impact of water on the overall development of economies and communities and is directly connected to the UN’s preparations to adopt a new post-2015 sustainable development agenda in September. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, in his message on the occasion, “To address the many challenges related to water, we must work in a spirit of urgent cooperation, open to new ideas and innovation, and prepared to share the solutions that we all need for a sustainable future. If we do so, we can end poverty, promote global prosperity and well-being, protect the environment and withstand the threat of climate change.”

One of the rihoods before being rehabilitated by UNAMID in East Darfur.