Water Charity has already been working primarily in the south around Yei River State, for more details on the South Sudan Well Rehab Program, CLICK HERE.
Water Charity in partnership with Water is Basic, is excited to launch a transformative project focused on rehabilitating and restoring 100 boreholes in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap regions of South Sudan, with the primary goal of addressing the critical water needs of local communities. Our initiative is designed to foster sustainable development and improve the quality of life for local residents. We believe that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and we are committed to making a positive impact in these regions.
Overview of Northern Bahr el Ghazal
Northern Bahr el Ghazal is a state in South Sudan. It has an area of 30,543 km² and is part of the Bahr el Ghazal region. It borders East Darfur in Sudan to the north, Western Bahr el Ghazal to the west and south, and Warrap and the disputed Abyei region to the east. Aweil is the capital city of the state. Located in South Sudan’s Bahr el Ghazal region, Northern Bahr el Ghazal occupies most of a region characterized by grassland floodplains and tropical savannah, covering approximately 33,559 km² and extending into neighboring Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap.
Each county is divided into three geographical areas of varying soil and water levels. These areas are locally referred to as the lowlands, midlands and highlands – although there are no highlands in the country. The lowlands are only accessible during the dry season, as the areas are flooded annually from May to November. Each county also has its own intermittent rivers, which the locals use for drinking water.
Annual flooding is common throughout northern Bahr el Ghazal, affecting residential areas. In 2008, a flood in Aweil South County displaced 40,000 people. In 2010, a flood destroyed 70% of livestock and crops in Aweil South County and Aweil West County, and about 60% in Aweil.
Thousands of people were severely affected by the 2010 flood.
Northern Bahr al Ghazal, like other states in South Sudan, is divided into counties; there are five counties, headed by a County Commissioner, as detailed below:
The counties are further divided into Payams, then Bomas.
Overview of Warrap
Warrap is one of the ten states in South Sudan, located in the Bahr el Ghazal region. The state became part of South Sudan after a successful secession from Sudan on 9 July 2011.
Warrap State comprises an area of 31,027 km². Kuajok is the capital of Warrap State. All states in South Sudan are divided into counties, each headed by a County Commissioner appointed by the President of the Republic of South Sudan.
The state is home to the Luanyjang, Twic, Jur-Man Anger, Bongo, and Rek subtribes of Nilotic ethnicity. The Twic, Luanyjang, and Rek are of the Dinka tribes. Warrap State is also home to the late Manute Bol who hailed from Twic county. Upon his death in 2010, NBA basketball star Manute Bol was buried in the Warrap state in his hometown of Turalei. The president of the Republic of South Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit is a native of Warrap State. Alek Wek, a prominent International model of South Sudan descent and British citizenship, also hailed from the state. The main religion in Warrap State is the African Traditional Religion Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism). A sizable proportion of the population practices African traditional religions.
Problem Addressed
In the states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap, there is a significant challenge due to the absence of local organizations that have spare parts for repairing wells. Many remote communities are difficult to access, especially during the rainy season, which makes it challenging to reach broken wells. As a result, wells remain unattended for long periods of time, even years. The regions also face annual flooding, which aggravates the situation.
Our solution proposes the establishment of local well-repair businesses, led by women and trained in each county. These teams will have spare parts and provide timely repairs, thereby eliminating the prolonged wait for communities. They can navigate challenging terrains and reach inaccessible areas during the rainy season by utilizing various means such as walking, motorcycles, bicycles, or any suitable mode for the specific situation.
In addition, Aweil counties in Northern Bahr el Ghazal are dealing with an influx of South Sudanese returnees and refugees due to the Sudanese conflict. Our teams in these areas will be responding to the needs of the local communities as well as the displaced populations by ensuring access to well-rehabilitated water sources.
Project Implementation
The primary goal of the initiative is to repair and restore 100 wells strategically located across Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap. WESI(Women’s Empowerment Solution Initiative) -trained teams will play a crucial role in executing these well-restoration efforts. Community engagement is a cornerstone of the project, ensuring local participation in the repair process and promoting community ownership. Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be established to track progress and assess the impact on the communities, generating regular transparent reports for stakeholders.
Water Charity’s Water Well Rehabilitation Initiative is a significant step toward improving water accessibility, addressing environmental challenges, and empowering communities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap. By meeting immediate water needs, the project aims to contribute to the long-term development and resilience of these regions in South Sudan.
Estimated cost of each well repair: $500
Total cost for 100 well repairs: $50,000
Project Funding
The funds for this program have been advanced by Water Charity. Your donation using this Donate button will ensure that we have funds available to accomplish this project. Kindly donate using the button.
