Amdjarass, Chad – Tucked away in the arid Ennedi-Est region of eastern Chad, the city of Amdjarass sits in a landscape both beautiful and unforgiving. While the desert terrain paints a stunning picture, it also conceals a dire crisis: the lack of access to clean and safe water for thousands of people and their livestock.
A Growing Crisis in the Desert
In recent weeks, Water4Chad joined a mission with representatives of the Chadian state to assess the water situation in and around Amdjarass. What we witnessed was alarming: long distances to reach small surface water sources, shared by both humans and animals, without any form of treatment or filtration.
In many of the surrounding villages, residents must walk several kilometers under the scorching sun to find seasonal ponds or shallow hand-dug wells. These sources are often contaminated by animal waste, sand runoff, and sometimes dry out completely before the rainy season arrives. In the absence of modern infrastructure, people rely on unsafe water just to survive.
Livestock vs. People: A Risky Balance
We visited a site that resembled a small natural lake. Herds of cattle, camels, goats, and donkeys crowded the water’s edge. At the same time, children came with jerrycans to collect drinking water from the same place.
This dual usage leads to a dangerous overlap: zoonotic diseases, diarrhea, and other waterborne illnesses are constant threats. Without intervention, this situation risks worsening the already fragile health of rural communities.
No Electricity, But Plenty of Sun
One of the main challenges is that Amdjarass and its surrounding areas lack reliable access to electricity. This limits the use of conventional water pumps or filtration systems. However, the region benefits from intense sunlight all year round, opening the door for solar-powered water solutions.
At Water4Chad, we believe this is not just a challenge — it’s an opportunity. With the right partners and support, solar pumping systems combined with basic filtration can turn contaminated surface water into a safe and sustainable resource for all.
Water is Not a Luxury — It’s a Right
The mission to Amdjarass was a reminder of why Water4Chad exists. We are not just building boreholes or installing solar panels — we are restoring dignity, protecting health, and giving hope to communities that have been forgotten for too long.
In the coming months, we aim to return with a targeted water intervention plan for this region. Because no child should have to drink from the same pond as a goat. And no mother should fear that the water she gives her family might make them sick.
🟦 Support Our Work
You can help bring clean water to Amdjarass and beyond. Donate, partner with us, or share our mission.
🌐 www.water4chad.org
📧 contact@water4chad.org
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