Aziza Mohammed Abdallah - Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)
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Authors
Elizabeth Dunn
Issue Date
2015-05
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Agriculture , Environment , Water and Sanitation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Aziza Mohammed Abdallah is 48 and married with five chikdreb, She lives in Zum Zum village in North Darfur, she has lived there her whole life and has seen the situation in the village get worse in recent years. She said that “agriculture is our only form of income and is the only way we can feed our families. Before [the conflict and refugee camp] there was a forest and trees. But there are no trees now, only drought. People cut the trees for fuel and this has affected the rain. Rain is now so limited.” Zum Zum village is scattered with small clay and thatch houses and surrounded by desert. The women, children and men struggle to grow crops to feed themselves. Due to the lack of rainfall, land remains dry and barren and there is only a small amount of trees and shrubbery meaning that the land is not protected from sand-creeping. Aziza is a member of the executive committee of the Zum Zum society where she leads 700 women across three villages. She is currently responsible for village nurseries and helps to distribute seeds. Although work is being done, there is still so much support that the community needs. Aziza explained “we are depending completely on rainwater and we rely on hand pumps. This is not enough, we are suffering, there is also sand-creeping, which affects the land.” We have drought and this affects agriculture. We have to rely on the seasons.” Aziza know too well what drought can do, she shared “many animals die in the dry months as there is nothing to eat. We depend on agriculture for our income. It is difficult to give children an education because we are relying on the agriculture but we can’t grow enough crops. In the past we had lots of animals but they have now died. I hope that when this project happens and succeeds, we will get good production from the farm and land.” “My children will be able to go to school and maybe even university. I will no longer have to worry about money. It will also bring the community together.” “As a woman I feel empowered, I now have a voice. We have been waiting for this change and it will benefit so many others. I am talking on behalf of all the women and poor farmers, we don’t have a lot and this is what God gives us. We wish for help. We want sustainability and want a secure future where we will no longer need support.” Aziza explains the various issues the community face: “the main issue is water. [But] there are conflicts between pastoralists and farmers. We have problems with healthcare. There are two primary schools and three high schools. The camp means that there aren’t enough places. We are depending completely on rainwater. We rely on hand pumps. This is not enough, we are suffering. We have drought, this effects agriculture. We have to rely on the season. Many animals die because there is nothing to eat. We depend on agriculture for income. It is difficult to give children an education as we are relying on the agriculture but we can’t grow enough crops. We depend completely on selling crops for income and to feed our family. We have no other choice.” NGO’s have opened clinics so they can have access to some healthcare. Some people have to rely on aid, especially those who live in the camps. Practical Action forms societies within Zum Zum to lead work. And there is the Network. WADI is a water harvesting project. “If it succeeds in the proper way, we will get good production from the farm and land. My children will be able to go to school and university. Socially it will bring the community together. Economically I will not have to worry. Many women are helping to prepare food for the workers.” Aziza is facilitating and organizing the women in the community. “WADI will benefit 20 villages and we want to offer energy and do whatever we can. I feel empowered. In the day of launching they brought tractors. We celebrated and danced because we were happy. We have been waiting for this change. It will benefit so many others... We want a secure future without support.”