A crucial three-day national workshop focused on strengthening groundwater governance recently commenced in N’Djamena. On June 16, 2026, approximately fifty key stakeholders, including representatives from public institutions, technical and financial partners, civil society organizations, and user groups, gathered with a shared objective: to formulate a consensual, multi-stakeholder action plan. This plan aims to enhance the management of groundwater resources and proactively address the inherent risks associated with their quantity and quality.

Groundwater holds immense importance for Chad’s water security. It serves as a vital source for drinking water, irrigation, pastoral systems, and urban development, particularly in regions grappling with climate stress and limited surface water availability. Recognizing this critical role, the national workshop was convened to develop a unified action plan. This initiative seeks to bolster groundwater governance and effectively manage priority risks concerning both the volume and purity of this essential resource.

During the opening remarks, UNICEF representative Natascha Paddison underscored the collective responsibility to ensure that every child has equitable access to fundamental services, including safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation. She emphasized that behind every technical decision regarding groundwater lies a profound human reality, directly impacting health, education, human capital development, and dignity.

Paddison urged participants to leverage the three-day forum to exchange knowledge, compare experiences, identify critical risks, and collaboratively devise concrete solutions. She further highlighted that groundwater resources should serve as a safeguard for public health rather than a hazard, and as a catalyst for development rather than a source of conflict, all while safeguarding the interests of future generations.

The UNICEF representative reiterated her institution’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Chadian government and all partners throughout this vital process. She also extended gratitude to the United Kingdom, specifically its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose crucial support facilitated the organization of this significant workshop.

Fatimé Hassan, the Director General of Water Resources, clarified that the primary goal of this gathering is to forge a concerted action plan designed to improve groundwater governance across Chad. She explained that the proceedings would foster a shared understanding of the nation’s groundwater situation, pinpoint the main governance challenges influencing its management, and define the necessary activities for implementing agreed-upon actions. The workshop’s outcomes, she noted, will be documented in a comprehensive report detailing key discussions, alongside a technical guidance note that integrates findings from the 2026 national exploratory assessment of groundwater risks.

The workshop brings together around fifty participants representing national water authorities, sectoral ministries, regional organizations, technical and financial partners, United Nations agencies, NGOs, the private sector, user groups, and academic experts. The collaborative discussions are expected to yield practical recommendations for a more effective, inclusive, and sustainable management of Chad’s groundwater resources.