A co-management model for achieving sustainability of community water supplies: a case of East Darfur

Many times sustainability of rural water supplies has failed due to system of governance. In East Darfur, the management of water points is purely a responsibility of State Water Cooperation and no attempts had been tested to give the community an opportunity to manage water resources. Piloting co-management in in six villages of East Darfur has shown immediate positive impacts. In Galabi village, besides regular maintenance of water point, the community has constructed a health centre with the 60% water yard revenue allocated to them. Livelihood income has also increased as vegetables planted around water yards has attracted sales which help women to meet their daily needs including paying school fees for their children. The co-management success has been seen in five villages and it is hoped that through these successes, the state legislative assembly will endorse the model to govern the management of rural water supplies in East Darfur.