Sudan’s irrigation and water resources ministry and the United Nations launched a US$1-billion cash appeal on 27 June 2011 to help reverse the rapid decline in Darfur's water supplies, seen as one the key drivers in the region's conflict. The region has witnessed a demographic explosion in the past few decades combined with more frequent droughts.
Organisers of the Water for Sustainable Peace conference held in Khartoum from 27-28 June 2011, say the money they hope to raise will fund 65 different water-related projects, the bulk of which (59 per cent / US$ $636 million) will cover implementation of 20 major projects, over a six year period.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="218" caption="Photo: Darfur International Water Conference 2011"][/caption]
While two-thirds of the projects relate to water resources and WASH infrastructure, the remainder will promote conflict mitigation, sustainable livelihoods, peace-building and capacity-building.
The Sudanese government plans to contribute US$ 216 million to the projects, as part of a package for development in Darfur amounting to US$ 1.9 billion in the next four years.
Since the start of the conflict in Darfur in 2003, at least 300,000 people have killed and 1.9 million people have fled their homes. In 2011, fighting has displaced about 70,000 people, according to the United Nations.
Published on: 04/07/2011
Sudan’s irrigation and water resources ministry and the United Nations launched a US$1-billion cash appeal on 27 June 2011 to help reverse the rapid decline in Darfur's water supplies, seen as one the key drivers in the region's conflict. The region has witnessed a demographic explosion in the past few decades combined with more frequent droughts.
Organisers of the Water for Sustainable Peace conference held in Khartoum from 27-28 June 2011, say the money they hope to raise will fund 65 different water-related projects, the bulk of which (59 per cent / US$ $636 million) will cover implementation of 20 major projects, over a six year period.
Photo: Darfur International Water Conference 2011
While two-thirds of the projects relate to water resources and WASH infrastructure, the remainder will promote conflict mitigation, sustainable livelihoods, peace-building and capacity-building.
The Sudanese government plans to contribute US$ 216 million to the projects, as part of a package for development in Darfur amounting to US$ 1.9 billion in the next four years.
Since the start of the conflict in Darfur in 2003, at least 300,000 people have killed and 1.9 million people have fled their homes. In 2011, fighting has displaced about 70,000 people, according to the United Nations.
Dependable water supplies were an essential prelude to the voluntary return of IDPs (internally displaced persons), almost a quarter of the region's population, said the head of the UN-African Union mission in Darfur, Ibrahim Gambari.
Photo: Oliver Chassot / UNAMID
The Sudanese Public Water Corporation (PWC) and UNICEF are co-leads for the WASH sector coordination in Darfur. The majority of water and sanitation services provided since the conflict began have been targeted at IDPs.
UNICEF has submitted three large proposals to the appeal for WASH projects in West Darfur (US$ 55.5 million), South Darfur (US$ 52.3 million) and North Darfur (US$ 38,2 million). Smaller WASH project proposals have been submitted by World Vision, World Health Organization (WHO), American Refugee Committee International (ARC), Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Friends’ Society in Social Service (FSSS), International Aid Services, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), Rufaida Health Foundation, and Save the Children Sweden (SCS).
Visit the web site of the Darfur International Conference "Water for Sustainable Peace 2011"
Source: Simon Martelli, AFP / Yahoo! News, 27 Jun 2011 ; UN, 27 Jun 2011 ; UNAMID, 27 Jun 2011
