When there is too much water
A Case Study of Gorta's work with one of its long-term Partners - Water Management in the Gambia
Challenge
The Gambia is one of the smallest African countries, stretching 320km along the Gambia River. Salt water from the river regularly affects the land so that people cannot cultivate it. In turn, women have to travel for long periods, far from their homes, to engage in agriculture. They made the hazardous 15km journey to the fields over make-shift bridges of tree branches or mud while carrying rations of fresh water in five gallon drums on their heads and food and farming implements on their backs. Drowning incidents were common, as was the contracting of water borne diseases, and the risk of attack by crocodiles.
Action
Gorta, along with its local partner, ADWAC (Agency for the Development of Women and Children), a local organisation in the Gambia, has dedicated itself to addressing the situation of these women. Thanks to the generosity of one Irish family, Gorta is developing a “salt exclusion system” designed to address them any problems caused by salt water. This system aims both to prevent salt water flowing onto fertile land and to reclaim land that has already been affected. Much success has already been achieved and the partnership aims to build on these achievements by improving water management and food security. This work includes the introduction of rainwater harvesting, the adoption of measures preventing erosion and the putting in place of appropriate vegetation cover to protect the soil and to encourage the retention of water.
Benefits
Based on experience from neighbouring Senegal, gorta and ADWAC have seen how such activities can lead rapidly to lush vegetation, the availability of plentiful grazing for local animals, suitable conditions for growing crops and a higher water table, making water collection relatively easy. With these activities the population will be able to provide for themselves a balanced diet, safe water and productive fields leading to food security for all and an environment more favourable to the lives of the local people.
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Last Update: 2007/09/21
