3 February 2012: The African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a €3.3 million grant through the African Water Facility (AWF) to finance plans to improve water supply and sanitation in the Darfur region.

Darfur is currently faced with weak institutions and lack of resources to manage, operate or maintain water and sanitation infrastructure. The grant is intended to assist in achieving the medium and long-term water and sanitation targets in approximately 15 towns across Darfur. It will be used to increase capacity in the State Water Corporations as well as communities to ensure sustainably managed water resources and investments. The grant will also be used to rehabilitate works and ensure that integrated approaches to meet the needs of livestock, small-scale farming, water and sanitation.

Impacting about 750,000 people in Darfur, the project is expected to make an impact on sustainable recovery and lasting peace in Darfur, through ensuring the equitable provision of water and sanitation. [AfDB Press Release]