Author(s)

Abstract

February 2025 Project Update: Thanks to a project funded by the European Union, the construction of water retention barriers is transforming the lives of Sudanese refugees and host communities in eastern Chad. These hydraulic structures, installed in the minor beds of valleys, slow down and distribute floodwaters, thereby maximizing their infiltration into the soil. This process helps recharge groundwater, preserve soils, and regenerate vegetation, offering a sustainable solution to challenges related to water access and agricultural resilience. Implemented by UNHCR in collaboration with local authorities, the water retention barriers help raise groundwater levels, ensuring a sustainable supply of water for agriculture, livestock, and consumption. They preserve soils, improve food security through increased irrigation, boost agricultural productivity, diversify the incomes of refugees and host communities, and promote livestock development by enhancing pastures.