Faced with growing shortages of drinking water in South Sudan, the government has turned to its neighbour Egypt, which is supporting its drinking water supply policy, particularly through the construction of water facilities. The most recent project involves the construction of eight drinking water supply systems in the states of Central Equatoria and Jonglei, with which the country of the pharaohs shares the Nile.
Announced for January 2024, the construction of eight drinking water supply systems in the states of Central Equatoria and Jonglei in South Sudan finally got under way in March 2024. The work will be carried out in two lots, each comprising five and three drinking water systems respectively.
And it is neighbouring Egypt, through its Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, that will be implementing this project aimed at improving the drinking water supply for these South Sudanese people, who have been facing severe shortages for many years. The first five WSPs will be installed in Jonglei, part of the Upper Nile region. The other three facilities will be located in Lobonok, a town in Equatoria.
Increasing supply from groundwater in South Sudan
The future facilities will be equipped with solar panels, in response to the lack of electricity coverage in these remote areas.
With the commissioning of the new drinking water supply systems, the number of facilities of this kind built by Egypt will rise to 28, improving drinking water coverage in Southern Sudan. The 20 PEAs already built by the North African country supply an average of 100,000 South Sudanese.
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In June 2023, Egypt pledged to meet the needs of its neighbouring countries in the Nile basin, particularly South Sudan, by building drinking water facilities. “In addition, projects to build rainwater dams are under way to mitigate the effects of the drought. Our two countries are also working together to draw up a comprehensive water resources management plan for the Nile basin”, says Hani Sewilam, Egypt’s Minister for Water Resources and Irrigation.
Inès Magoum
