May 14, 2021
Micro-dams promoting development And transforming communities
The Government of Eritrea has invested a considerable amount of time, effort, and resources in the construction and development of water harvesting structures throughout the country. This has led to many achievements and significant progress. At the onset of independence, in 1991, there were only 132 dams and other water holding structures of different sizes. However, that figure has now increased to a total of 781, according to Mr. Yonas Negusse, an engineer and the head of the Dams and Diversion Development Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture. Notably, not only has there been an increase in number of structures, there has also been important developments in their distribution. (See maps for reference)
According to engineer Yonas, the construction of water holding structures is generally carried out in collaboration with local communities. Several factors are explored before the development of structures, including considerations regarding hydrological and physical suitability, acute water scarcity, the..
