Home  »  Where We Work  »  Mali  »  A Well for Gambi

Using natural resources in a way that does not damage the earth's fragile ecosystem can help ensure that these essential resources are not depleted for future generations. Environmental degradation can lead to desertification of land and an increase in severe natural disasters such as floods and droughts. This in turn can cause food shortages, disease, and population displacement, all of which disproportionately affect the poor.

One of the aims of the MDGs is to ensure that more people worldwide have sustainable access to clean water and basic sanitation facilities. At present, over one billion people do not have access to safe water sources, putting them at serious risk of disease. Islamic Relief is working with communities across the world to develop water projects that help people access safe water for drinking. We are also working to improve sanitation facilities and ensure adequate water is available for agriculture, which is essential for the livelihood of many poor communities.

A Well for Gambi

Water shortages in Niger force women and children to walk for many hours each day to collect water for their families. Often the water they collect is dirty and contaminated, causing them to fall ill.

Forty-year-old Gambi, from the Tillaberi region of Niger explains, "We only have one well for this village and it gets filled with sand and dirty water during the rainy season. So during the rainy season we have to find water from neighboring villages, where it takes up to two and half hours to get just a small amount."

During these difficult times the village has to work together. "We rely on community solidarity - it happens where those who have enough water can help those in short supply. My daily need is five buckets but sometimes I might not get more than two buckets. I then ask my neighbor to assist me with more water."

Islamic Relief has been working to provide Gambi and the people of the Tillaberi region with clean water since the 2004 drought. Islamic Relief has dug wells, built restrooms and trained Water and Sanitation Management Committees, providing assistance to over 72,000 people.

"This well, constructed by Islamic Relief, will solve all of our water problems because it is close to the village so I will have more time to use for my daily chores," said Gambi. "I think I may even be able to use some of the water to start growing vegetables."

Fighting the Effects of Drought in Mali and Niger

Mali, like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, regularly experiences periods of drought; which in recent years have been occurring more frequently and with greater intensity. This leads to severe food shortages, malnutrition and mass population displacement throughout the country as people move in search of water.

Islamic Relief has been working with communities in the Circle of Kati to provide clean drinking water and train local residents in hygiene and water conservation methods. Islamic Relief has dug two large wells, reconstructed 15 existing wells, and also constructed over 70 household restrooms. We also set up and trained 22 water management committees to look after and manage the communal water sources.