Published in December 2024

In the 2024 Big Give Christmas Challenge, our valued supporters helped us to raise an amazing total of £105,114.50 (including match funding) that will go towards the construction of two sand dams and implementation of a range of land conservation measures in the South Omo zone of Ethiopia; an area experiencing severe environmental challenges and water scarcity.

On behalf of the dryland communities we support, we'd like to say a big thank you to all supporters, donors, and campaign partners (both our pledgers and champion funder - Ethiopiaid) for their generosity.

About The Big Give

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match funding campaign, which in 2023 raised more than £33 million for over 1,000 UK charities.

For seven days in the lead up to Christmas each year, it offers supporters of participating charities the opportunity to have their donations doubled!

Sand Dams Worldwide took part in another successful campaign in 2024, during which we raised £55,114.50 (including gift aid) in online donations to support the construction of two sand dams and implement a range of land conservation measures in the South Omo zone of Ethiopia. This will help to provide year-round access to clean, safe water for two communities in an area that is experiencing severe environmental degradation and water scarcity. In doing so, the project will also support people’s farming livelihoods, as well as restore degraded land and help to preserve the natural environment for years to come.

About Ethiopia

South Omo in southern Ethiopia is an area of significant conservational importance, yet severe environmental challenges are threatening biodiversity and local pastoralist livelihoods. Water scarcity poses a major challenge, with 26% of the local population lacking access to a reliable water source. The increasing regularity of droughts in the region is exacerbating this issue and contributing to serious land degradation, which is further worsened by reductions in vegetation growth as a result of livestock grazing. These conditions are leading to widespread food insecurity and poverty, which places further pressure on already fragile ecosystems to sustain the needs of local people.

About sand dams

Sand dams offer a solution, providing year-round access to water, whilst also helping to provide healthier, more productive environments as they recharge groundwater levels, which in turn promotes vegetation regrowth and reduces soil erosion. Watch how sand dams work here:

About the project

We will support the construction of two sand dams across two communities in South Omo, providing them with year-round access to clean water. These communities will be supported to implement environmental protection measures and practice community-managed tree planting, helping to restore degraded land and preserve the natural environment. Farmers will also be trained in conservation agriculture and natural resource management to help them improve their food security.

"The sand dam will be life-changing for us, I will no longer  have to spend hours fetching water, and the water we collect will be clean... With the water and agricultural support, I’m confident that we can continue to improve our lives. I plan to expand our farm, diversify our income, and invest in my son’s education."

Wale Guri, member of Tulungo Village, southern Ethiopia.

We look forward to sharing the impact and stories from these projects, stories such as these. Please stay tuned and stay in touch!

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Our current appeal: please donate what you can to help build a future without hunger with sand dams