(Press Release) On Monday 26 October 2016, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nation-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the Department of Water Corporation held extensive consultations with stakeholders and beneficiaries to discuss the draft Darfur Water Investment Plan (DWIP). The consultation workshop was undertaken in the context of Darfur Water Project for Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, which was financed by AfDB with Euro 3.3 million from its African Water Facility (AWF). The project, which is now completed, financed the construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation structures in rural towns spread across the five states of Darfur, capacity building at both the states and locality levels to maintain the structures, and the Darfur Water Investment Planning study, which was the focus of the consultation.
The workshop was presided over by H. E. Dr. Mohamed Yahiya, Minister of Finance and Planning for North Darfur State, the Resident Representative of the African Development Bank Dr. Abdul Kamara, and the UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative Ms. Bintou Keita. The workshop was also brought together dignitaries from Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Electricity, State Water Corporations of the five Darfur States, Locality Commissioners, Members of Local Government Councils, as well as representatives from development partners active in water sector including UNICEF. The consultation sought to discuss and validate the findings of the Darfur water investment planning study, which covers 25 rural towns in Darfur, where bankable projects in the water sector were identified to help resolve the water problem in Darfur.
In his statement, the Minister of Finance for North Darfur State expressed appreciation to both the AfDB and UNAMID for their exemplary collaboration in supporting development activities in Darfur, and encouraged them to scale up their efforts. The Resident Representative of the African Development Government underscored the importance of the validation process and emphasized the critical role it will plays to ensure ownership and successful implementation of the proposed programs. He also highlighted that the Bank strongly believes that provision of water is imperative for reducing conflict over natural resources and for breaking the vicious cycle of fragility. He underscored that the Investment Study will hopefully bring on board more development partners to support water projects in Darfur, as the plan seeks to leverage between USD 50-100 million of more funding for the sector in Darfur over the next few years. The Deputy Joint Special Representative of UNAMID emphasized the mission’s continued support provided to Darfur, especially those that the mission finances through the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and the Community Labor Intensive Projects (CLIPS).  She also emphasized the significance of the Darfur water project in reducing conflict thus promoting the subsequent return of IDP to their homes, and encouraged a strong coordination of the efforts of development partners.
The consultation workshop in Darfur will be followed by another comprehensive federal level consultation in Khartoum on 30th October 2016, in which relevant Line Ministries, diverse development partners, civil society and research institutions will discuss the outcomes of the study and commence dialogue with the government, private sector and development partners on how to seek financing to implement the pipe line of projects identified by the studies.