Near East Foundation

In 1992, NEF began pioneering creative and realistic long-term solutions to the water challenges facing people in northern Mali, with a focus on the Mopti region. Together with local partners, we introduce simple technologies to improve the efficiency of water collection, storage, and use, including rainwater harvesting, surface water management, and spring catchment.

Our work helps villagers better manage their scarce water resources, so that a greater number of people have access to a more abundant, stable supply of water for multiple uses. Because every village faces unique water resource constraints—based on rainfall patterns, groundwater availability, and springs—NEF has developed a range of strategies to adapt to a given area’s water supply and needs. In some cases, these are traditional techniques that are re-introduced or upgraded to improve efficiency and scale.

NEF has demonstrated success in delivering reliable water supplies for agricultural, livestock, and household use. As a result of our ongoing water management projects, communities across the region are increasingly able to better control the water on which their life depends and to capture and use scarce water resources—whether rainfall, springs, wetlands or a combination of sources. Community members are able to lead more stable and prosperous life.

NEF water management solutions are proving successful across northern Mali because they are customized to the water supply and needs of a given area or community. The simple technologies NEF employs increase the efficiency of water harvesting and use; they help communities adapt to climate variability and unpredictability, and build local capacities.

Because NEF emphasizes simple technologies, mobilizes local resources, develops local skills, and promotes community-based governance and cost-recovery, most strategies are sustainable and scalable.

Conventional Water Resources

• Rehabilitation of traditional water sources (wells, ponds). NEF helped restore more than 20 wells and 6 traditional ponds for drinking water, irrigation, livestock, and wildlife, serving 38,600 people.
• Construction of medium and large diameter wells. For drinking water, vegetable production and tree planting, NEF helped construct more than 60 large-diameter and 35 medium-diameter wells.
• Construction of wells with Dutch and circular bricks. To reduce costs for shallow wells created at a shallow depth for gardening, NEF helped construct 18 Dutch and/or circular brick wells.
• Mechanical (hand, foot and solar) pumps on boreholes. NEF installed pumps on more than 40 boreholes, including a solar pump to supply water for 2000 fruit trees.
• Construction of superstructures. NEF helped communities construct numerous walls, fences, drainage ditches, distribution networks, and storage tanks to improve water points, such as wells and boreholes.

Non-conventional Water Resources

• Micro-basins & Field Water Management. NEF helped recover ten abandoned plains of 260 hectares (deemed unfavorable for agriculture) for collection of runoff water for rice cultivation in the Communes of: Dongol Boré, Koubewel Koundia, Korarou, Deberé, Djaptodji, Gouloumbo, & Korombana, benefiting 14,400 people.
• Spring Catchment. In partnership with municipal governments and villagers, NEF designed and constructed six gravity systems using natural spring water for drinking water, market gardens and fruit trees, benefiting 7200 individuals in targeted villages and at least 900 individuals indirectly (e.g., herders).
• Rainwater Collection. NEF built 43 “impluviums” to collect rainwater from rooftops, providing drinking water for households, literacy centers, and primary schools benefiting 9,600 individuals.
• Bouli Construction. NEF constructed 2 boulis (artificial ponds) for household, agriculture, and livestock use.