The UN Global Service Centre's Geospatial Information Systems Centre (UNGSC-GISC) has provided technical assistance to locate groundwater in the remote Bin Lahlou region of the Western Sahara, enabling the UN Mission for the Referendum in the Western Sahara (MINURSO) to drill a well and reduce the environmental impact and cost of transporting bottled water to its teams.
12 October 2012: The UN Mission for the Referendum in the Western Sahara (MINURSO) has drilled its first productive well in this water-scarce region, with technical assistance from the UN Global Service Centre’s Geospatial Information Systems Centre (UNGSC-GISC) for a groundwater assessment.
The UNGSC-GISC used satellite imagery and spatial analysis and modeling to locate groundwater and reduce the possibility of unproductive drilling. It reports that recent climate changes have exacerbated chronic water shortages in the region.
The new well reduces the environmental impact and cost of transporting bottled water to peacekeepers in the remote MINURSO team site in Bir Lahou. Further drilling will take place in order to reduce or eliminate MINURSO’s use of bottled water. [UNGSC Press Release] [MINURSO Website]