The TASIS government has begun installing and distributing drinking-water purification stations across several parts of Darfur as authorities seek to ease chronic shortages worsened by the war.
The programme, launched earlier this month, has already delivered new facilities in South and Central Darfur, according to Darfur24.
In Nyala, South Darfur, the civilian administration inaugurated a water purification station in Majouk, east of the city, with support from the TASIS government. Another purification station was delivered to Rehaid al-Birdi, southwest of Nyala.
Authorities in Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur, also inaugurated a purification facility on Sunday with a capacity of 30,000 litres per unit.
The local administration’s press office said two additional stations are expected to be installed in Wadi Salih and Um Dukhun in the coming days.
The project comes amid severe pressure on water infrastructure across Darfur, where years of fighting have damaged or knocked out drinking-water sources while sharply increasing the cost of fuel, spare parts and other materials needed to keep pumping stations operating.
South Darfur’s water authority has previously drawn up plans to cut its dependence on fuel by around 40%, including through greater use of solar power at water stations across the state’s localities.
Water shortages remain chronic across large parts of Darfur and become particularly acute during the dry season. During the rainy season, meanwhile, contamination of existing water sources poses an additional threat to communities already coping with the effects of the conflict.
Water authorities in parts of South Darfur have also been repairing damaged facilities and drilling new wells in an effort to expand supplies and maintain access to drinking water despite wartime conditions.
