Water shortage in South Darfur city remains unsolved

Districts in Nyala, the capital city of South Darfur, are witnessing a crisis of drinking water, as a result of the disruption of the water stations that supply the tanks. Some districts have faced a shortage in water for months.

The price for water is rising, a person living in El Jebel district in Nyala said. “We bring water on animals’ backs from Wadi Berle now… I hope that the authorities can resolve the water problem in Nyala, which is repeated every year.”

He told Radio Dabanga that the government authorities do not provide any radical solutions for the recurring water shortage.

‘The growing need for water in Nyala is far more than the water sources can provide.’

An official from a water corporation in Nyala explained that the electric power disruption was the main reason for the non-flow of water to the city. He pointed out that the growing need of the city is far more than the available water sources can provide. He revealed that Nyala depends on 18 wells, along with Wadi Berle.  

Radio Dabanga reported about an acute lack of water in El Jeer in February this year. Then, the price per barrel rose from SDG6 ($1) to SDG12 within one month, according to a member of El Jeer Popular Committee.

He complained that despite an increase of the monthly water tariff to SDG51 ($8.50) by the South Darfur Water Corporation at the time, nothing was done to restore the provision of water in the district.

Meanwhile, the more than 80,000 residents of El Salam camp for the displaced, south of Nyala, suffer from an acute drinking water crisis, too. A camp leader told Radio Dabanga that the first water engines in the camp broke down five months ago, and that about 20 have stopped working ever since.