On 21 February 2016, UNAMID Sector West inaugurated two water hand-pumps in El-Nakheel area and Krinding 2 camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in El-Geneina. Both pumps were rehabilitated few days earlier, on 17 February, through UNAMID’s Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). The project, implemented by the Indonesian Battalion, is expected to supply potable water to hundreds of residents in the camp as well as the El-Nakheel Basic School located at the camp.
At the launching, Rommel Dela Rosa, Team leader, Civil Affairs Section, explained that despite the fact that UNAMID is a peacekeeping mission, not a development agency, it is constantly aspiring to respond, within its limited resources, to the communities’ needs. “This water project, comes in response to the need of the community to have access to clean and safe water. The project will also help improve health and hygiene of the camp’s residents,” he concluded.
The Principal of El-Nakheel Basic School, Abdalla Adam, praised UNAMID for rehabilitating the water pumps. “We used to fetch water using drums carried on donkeys’ carts. These pumps will have positive impact on our lives,” he said describing water as the nerve of life.
On his part, Mr. Bashir Ali, Sheikh in Krinding IDPs camp, stressed the need for peace, tranquility and stability, commending UNAMID’s concerted efforts in responding to the community’s pressing needs.
In a related development, UNAMID Sector West launched four Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in El-Geneina, El-Shati and El-Tijaria Higher Secondary schools for girls, in addition to the El-Humaira kindergarten School and Ardamata prison.
The projects included construction of internal water network in EL Geneina, El-Shati and El-Tijaria Higher Secondary schools, construction of two underground water tanks in Ardamata prison and construction and furnishing of El-Humaira Kindergarten School in Ardamata.
The ceremony was attended by the state Minister of Education, Ferdous Hussein Saleh, Director of Secondary Stage and a number of schools teachers. Ms. Ferdous Hussein expressed her appreciation to UNAMID for funding the implementation of the water projects at the respective schools, which will contribute to providing conducive educational environment and eventually to the stability of students, “Through such projects the schools’ administrations can save time, finance and great efforts. We are looking forward to developing strategic plans with UNAMID to provide water services projects across West Darfur schools in the near future, besides rehabilitation of schools at voluntary-return areas especially, in Muli,” Ms. Hussein said.
UNAMID Sector West allocated a total budget of 257,000 $ US Dollars for QIPs through the budget year 2015/2016. Twelve projects were approved in various much-needed fields, such as Education, environment and sanitation, water, health, support to Rule of Law and community development.
The Implementing Partners (IP) of these projects have received the first installments and have commenced the implementation as of 25 January 2016.