Chad seeks Dutch expertise to combat flooding in N'Djamena

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The Minister of Land Reclamation, Housing and Urbanization in Chad received, Mohammed Al-Salik Halat, on Wednesday, received a delegation from the Kingdom of the Netherlands to discuss ways to enhance technical and institutional cooperation between the two countries in the field of flood prevention and water resources management.

The meeting included a review of the results of the first phase of Dutch interventions in Chad, as well as a discussion of the features of the second phase of the program, including identifying the areas targeted in the future and intervention priorities in accordance with the country’s needs in the field of water management and reducing natural risks.

Chad faces increasing challenges due to flooding

During the talks, the Chadian minister stressed that the country is facing increasing challenges due to frequent flooding, especially in the capital N'Djamena, noting the importance of addressing the problem of sand accumulation in the Chari River, developing rainwater drainage networks, and establishing basins to collect and retain water to reduce the effects of flash floods and floods.

He stressed the need to utilize rainwater to support agricultural activities and provide sustainable water sources for livestock, thereby enhancing food security and increasing the ability of local communities to adapt to the repercussions of climate change.

These talks come within the framework of Chad and the Netherlands’ keenness to expand joint cooperation in the field of water management, and to develop sustainable solutions to reduce flood risks, based on technical expertise and institutional innovations that support development efforts and enhance the ability of communities to face environmental and climate challenges.

It is worth noting that Chad witnessed controversy in recent days regarding the judges' strike, which revived the debate about the independence of the judiciary and the limits of criticism directed at public institutions, after the Chadian President, Mohamed Idriss Deby, called for accepting criticism and respecting freedom of expression within the framework of the laws, while emphasizing his commitment to the principle of separation of powers.

President Deby's remarks came amid escalating tensions between the executive branch and some actors within the judiciary, over positions that judges considered to be an attack on the judicial institution, which prompted some of them to go on a protest strike that sparked widespread reaction within political and human rights circles in the country.

Read more: Chad: Judges' strike reignites debate on judicial independence