Press Releases

U.S.-Supported Water Supply Project
Inaugurated in Mendefera

New 1,000m3  capacity concrete reservoir

Mai-Aron Dam" filled with rain water

Citizens celebrating the completion of the Project

On December 23, 2006, the Zoba Debub Administrator inaugurated the U.S.- supported water supply project in the town of Mendefera, a city in the southern region of Eritrea, with a total population of 35,000 people.   The Mendefera water project was conceived in 2002 as an emergency intervention to counter the effects of a severe drought.

The project construction, which was overseen by the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) cost a total of USD $1,318,800.   Over $700,000 of the donor funding for the project was contributed by the U.S. Government through its Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Relief (USAID/OFDA.).

The completed project includes a 1,000 m³ capacity concrete reservoir, 4 large diameter wells which provides a total average yield of 15 l/sec, a 4km pipeline from the water source to the reservoir tank, and a pumping station.   The new water supply will significantly reduce the workload of women and children who are responsible for retrieving water to meet daily living needs.  Speaking on the occasion, the Administrator of the Southern Region, Mr. Mustafa Nurhussein said that the water supply is expected to improve the living standards of all of the residents of Mendefera.