AP Photo
The scarcity of water is commonly known as one of
the most significant environmental challenges in Darfur, and is frequently
cited as one of the root causes of the conflict here. The average water
consumption in the camps for internally displaced people in North Darfur is
around 10 litres per person each day, a quantity that not only includes
domestic consumption but also other activities, such as brick fabrication.
"We can't prevent displaced families from using
the water for these activities," says Mr. Ahmed Maniese, a consultant in
the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), referring to the uses of water
for other than drinking. "But we try to convince them about the importance
of taking extra care of water sources."
UNEP has partnered with hydrogeologists from the
Sudanese Ministry of Irrigation in a programme called "Integrate Water
Resources Management in Darfur." The programme is designed to establish
ways to manage water in the region more efficiently by monitoring the levels of
all water pumps once a week and implementing local projects such as water tanks
in camps for the displaced. The difficulties associated with pumping and
storing water in Darfur, along with an increasing demand for water in the
region, make such initiatives a necessity.
World Environment Day is marked annually on 5 June
and this year's theme is "Think, eat, save". Water is also considered
a non-renewable resource that needs to be sustainably consumed. The United
Nations General Assembly declared the period 2005 to 2015 the "Water for
Life" International Decade for Action.
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