In southern Libya, IOM rehabilitates 18 water wells.

International Organization for Migration has completed the rehabilitation of 18 water wells in 12 (out of 14) neighborhoods of the Libyan city of Sabha (Manshiya, Mashroo’, Hajara, Aljadeed, Almahdiya, Abdelkafi, Althanawiya, Sukara, Gurda, Tyori, Nasriya, and Junga).

The project, part of IOM’s Community Stabilization programme “Together We Rebuild,” included the provision of new electrical pumps for wells to allow the restoration of a domestic water supply.

For the rehabilitation IOM relied on with funding from the European Union. The United Nations migration agency contracted two local enterprises from Sabha. Activity was closely coordinated and supported by local authorities, in particular the Water and Waste Company in Sabha, the owner of the water wells.

The implementation of this project comes at a critical time when the city of Sabha has been suffering from an on-going water crisis, which is particularly critical during the summer season when water consumption increases.

“We highly appreciate the support of the EU and the efforts made by IOM in rehabilitating 18 water wells in Sabha city, which has been suffering from serious shortage in water supplies. This support comes at a critical time when the Water and Waste Water Company is in need of such support to help us maintain this essential service to the people of the city,” explained engineer Mohammad Aboul-Qassem Yaqa, the Head of Works and Maintenance Department at the Water and Waste Water Company.

Added Libya’s Minister of Local Government, Badad Ganaso Abdul Jaleel: “The Ministry of Local Government in the Government of National Accord supports IOM initiatives to promote community stabilization in the South of Libya. We are confident that the people of Sabha and the South in general urgently need these important projects, especially in these difficult times.”

The identification of the need for the rehabilitated water wells came as the result of a series of community meetings conducted by the Community Management Committee (CMC), which was formed by IOM and which includes influential representatives from various tribes and social figures of the city. The CMC met with the community members in the various neighborhoods, all of whom identified the rehabilitation of the water wells as their communities’ top priority.

The EU Ambassador for Libya, Bettina Muscheidt, explained that the EU supports Libyan efforts to end the current crisis through a political solution. “In the meantime,” she said, “Libya’s people cannot wait. Families across the country are in dire need of services. They want a return of normality. This is where this partnership between the Water and Waste Company in Sabha, the IOM and the EU can make a difference to improve lives and alleviate the suffering in an area where many different communities have been affected by the conflict.”

“The EU will continue supporting, through similar local initiatives, the economic and political stabilization of the South of the country,” added the EU Ambassador Muscheidt.

“IOM thanks the Ministry of Local Government, the EU, the local municipality and the CMC for their continuous support, this project will facilitate access to water for thousands of people. We will continue to address the most urgent needs identified by the communities,” concluded IOM Libya Chief of Mission Othman Belbeisi.