North Darfur – Over 200 pastoralists, farmers and government representatives met in Derma village, North Darfur, an area affected by insecurity, to agree on key issues needed to restore stability in the region.
Facilitated by UN Environment, Practical Action, and the Centre for Peace and Development Studies at the University of El Fasher, the two-day meeting highlighted the importance of equitable use of natural resources to reduce conflict, and promote long-term development. A key issue raised by participants was the urgent need to organize and manage pastoralist and farmer land use in order for both groups to benefit from the land’s natural resources without provoking conflict. Re-establishing security was also highlighted as a top priority, requiring community, local leaders, and government involvement. The meeting emerged with actions and recommendations that pastoralist and farmer community leaders have pledged to take forward together with government.
Community priorities articulated through Community Action Plans are also helping to guide activities implemented in the Wadi El Ku project area. The Seil Gideim water spreading earth dam, a key priority from communities, has been constructed and is now benefitting more than 10,000 people. UN Environment and partners have also encouraged other actors to get involved in supporting community-defined priorities. Starting in 2014, WFP joined WEK project partners to promote early recovery in the project area, by providing Food For Assets (FFA) support to enhance the rehabilitation and best use of natural resources. This has included, for example, FFA support for stabilizing eroded wadi banks, establishing new community forests, and water harvesting techniques. Oxfam has also funded a number of hand pumps from the Community Action Plans.
The Sudanese Minister of Environment and technical government staff join communities at the unveiling of a 3-dimensional model of the area
Another tool to support consensus over natural resource management among villages, was the construction of a 3-dimensional map of their area. To this end, the project brought together community groups from across project villages to construct a 3-dimensional model of the landscape. The process sought to promote joint planning and decision-making over natural resources by encouraging communities to define common natural resource problems and solutions. Participatory mapping also highlighted the richness and importance of local knowledge, and demonstrated how combining this knowledge from across villages provides a strong foundation for an integrated discussion over water and other natural resources at the local level. The 3-dimensional model, which measures roughly 4.5 meters by 2.5 meters, is a physical tool that will help people discuss and reach consensus around key natural resources, and will be used to advocate for positive change among communities, planners, and decision-makers.
Together these activities are helping to encourage community-driven solutions that promote more equitable and sustainable natural resource management in the Wadi El Ku region of North Darfur.
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