SDW IOM and the Isle of Man Government: working together to transform lives in drylands

Published in August 2025

Sand Dams Worldwide Isle of Man (a subsidiary of Sand Dams Worldwide) has been awarded a grant of £100,000 by the Isle of Man Government to deliver a sand dam project in Mozambique, to help improve food and water security for rural dryland communities living in Manica Province. 

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world and is vulnerable to extreme climatic conditions such as droughts, cyclones and floods, contributing to widespread food and water shortages. In Manica Province, where Sand Dams Worldwide delivered a pilot sand dam programme, before constructing their sand dams community members reported having to queue for over 11 hours for water during the driest months, with many women even resorting to sleeping at the water points to avoid the long queues, leaving them little time for anything else.

Sand dams, a nature-based rainwater harvesting structure, offer a simple and cost-effective solution. Built across seasonal riverbeds, they capture and store water which falls during the rainy seasons. 

That water is stored within the sand, providing a year-round supply of clean water close to home. Crucially, having a water source nearby means that people, especially women and children, can save up to 12 hours a day. Parents can use this time to farm, growing food to feed their families, and children are free to go to school. 

Working in partnership with our Mozambican partner the Micaia Foundation, over two years the project will support three rural communities in Manica to each construct a sand dam. Farmers will also be supported to implement sustainable agriculture and a range of environmental protection techniques, so that they can grow more food whilst at the same time protecting the local environment, thereby helping to ensure their long-term food security.

Andrew Kingman, co-founder of Micaia said:

“The introduction of sand dam technology in the dry areas of Manica Province is really transformative. Local people are excited about the prospect of having access to water throughout the year, giving them the opportunity to grow more food. With this new funding from Isle of Man Government through our partnership with Sand Dams Worldwide, Micaia will be able to help more than 5,000 people improve their access to water - for home use and for irrigation.” 

About our partnership with the Isle of Man Government and their International Development programme

The Isle of Man Government has supported Sand Dams Worldwide for over 15 years, including projects in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Mozambique. During that time, they have funded over 60 sand dams, helping transform the lives of over 180,000 people by enhancing their water security.

The Isle of Man Government International Development programme is an established Council of Ministers commitment to support both local and global organisations to deliver humanitarian aid, long-term development initiatives, awareness raising, and capacity building. The fund demonstrates that the Island is a mature and responsible jurisdiction which upholds its international obligations and local commitments. No funds are sent to foreign governments, and all projects are monitored and scrutinised throughout the grant period to ensure that funds are used for their specific and intended purpose.

Want to find out more about Sand Dams Worldwide IOM and our long-term connection with the Isle of Man? Please click here.

Our current appeal: please donate what you can to help communities in Zimbabwe to restore degraded land with sand dams