Discovery of Underground Lake Brings New Hope to Darfur

By Helen

An underground lake approximately the size of Lake Erie has been discovered in the Darfur region of Sudan. Researchers at Boston University used radar data from space to discover this lake. In this region that has experienced severe ongoing violence, 200,000 people have died and two million have been displaced since 2003.

In this arid region, water shortage is one of the problems that led to the current conflict. Geologist Farouk El-Baz of Boston University said, “Much of the unrest in Darfur and the misery is due to water shortages.” These wells will benefit both the African tribes and the Arab nomads who have been warring with each other.

A similar discovery in Egypt has already proven to benefit agricultural communities there, and a similar effect is hoped to take place in Darfur. In Darfur, 14 of the last 20 years have taken place during a drought. Egypt has agreed to help drill the first of the wells, and the U.N. peacekeeping forces will continue to drill more.

Sources:

NY Times

BBC