A Wadi Partners project led by UN Environment’s Disaster Risk Reduction based in Geneva has resulted in a radical boost in agricultural production for residents in the Kilimondo locality of the State of North Darfur.

The project was carried out in Sudan with the support of the European Commission. It took place alongside major work that is ongoing under the Wadi El Ku Catchment Management project.

The aims of the pilot were to reduce vulnerability to water-related hazards - in particular droughts and floods - mitigate conflict among pastoralists and farmers, and support community livelihoods through sustainable dryland management.

By rehabilitating an existing water retention structure, irrigation and cultivated land was successfully expanded from 900 acres to 7000 acres annually. This has boosted agricultural production for 30,000 residents in five villages and directly benefited 150 households which previously had no or very little access to a seasonal waterbody, known as a wadi.

Results were revealed in the ‘Wadi Partners: Improving Food Security and Livelihoods in the Drylands of Darfur, Sudan’ report launched by UN Environment in December.

From 2012-2015, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction approaches were carried out in partnership with the National Government, the State Government of North Darfur, Practical Action, and local community based organizations. Demonstration activities covered five villages - Eid El Beida, Abudelik, Waa’dha, Wad Kota and Bahr Omdurman - along a 40km stretch of a wadi.

The work on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction in drylands focused on improving access to water, community forestry and re-seeding degraded pastureland. Two key aspects of disaster vulnerability reduction were directly addressed by the project: improving food and water security and enhancing the governance of water resources.

Read more about ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction field activities here or for more information write to marisol.estrella@unep.org.