Every year on 17 June, the United Nations marks the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought to highlight the close connection between healthy soil, water and life. This day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1994 to raise awareness of the dangers of soil and water degradation – a problem that primarily affects arid and semi-arid regions. The consequences of desertification affect not only the environment, but also food security, the economy and the social stability of the communities affected.
How IWFA helps
At Institute Water for Africa (IWFA), we know that without water there is no life, and without healthy soil there is no future. Our projects in Zambia and other African regions combine water infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and environmental education to mitigate the effects of desertification.
These measures enable regular harvests, stable incomes and the sustainable use of natural resources, making people less vulnerable to droughts and soil loss.
Our initiatives include:
- Well construction and sustainable water supply: Clean water for households, livestock and fields.
- Irrigation: Where plants grow, there is no erosion. Drip irrigation uses water very efficiently. This means that a large area of farmland can be made fertile again with relatively little water.
- Community training: Sustainable agriculture, water management.
Together against desertification
World Day to Combat Desertification reminds us that prevention and local measures work. Every well, every reforestation project, every training course helps to secure the livelihoods of families in Africa. With the support of partners, donors and committed individuals, we can break the cycle of soil loss, drought and migration. If you want to bring about long-term change, this is exactly where you need to start – water and land are the key resources.
