About the region

Ethiopia covers a diverse range of landscapes, cultures and climates. These include some of the hottest and driest areas on Earth. In South Omo Zone, pastoralist communities travel for many kilometres in search of water and suitable grazing for their livestock. This is often difficult to find as erosion, deforestation and drought has left the land degraded.

About our partner

Action for Development (AFD) work on water and food security, natural resource management and sustainable livelihoods programmes in drylands across Ethiopia. Active since 1997, prior to working with Sand Dams Worldwide, AFD had previously constructed over 20 sand dams. During our pilot sand dam programme, with support from our strategic partner, the Africa Sand Dam Foundation, we supported AFD to develop their knowledge in sand dams even further, incorporating techniques used by the Africa Sand Dam Foundation to ensure the dams being built were to the required standard.  At the end of the pilot AFD achieved certification in sand dam siting, design and construction, meaning they can now build sand dams without any external support.

How we're working together

In 2024 we completed our pilot programme, which resulted in five sand dams constructed in South Omo, providing these communities with year-round access to clean water for life. An external evaluation completed at the end of the project said:

“The project has had a positive impact on the target communities. The effects of the enhanced access to clean water and the various other project interventions have improved people’s food security and health, and have had a positive impact on the natural environment.”

Following the success of the pilot programme, we are now working with AFD to deliver a longer-term programme in South Omo, supporting pastoralist communities to construct sand dams and implement improved land management and conservation agriculture, to enhance their food and water security whilst safeguarding the local environment with which they depend on.