NPR: Scientists: Hidden Lake May Help Bring Peace to Darfur

Scientists: Hidden Lake May Help Bring Peace to Darfur

Scientists have made a dramatic discovery in the Darfur region of Sudan that they believe could change the horrible situation there.

The BBC reports that a group of Boston University researchers have found a huge underground lake in the region that could provide as many as 1,000 wells. The ancient lake was the size of Lake Erie, so we're not talking your local swimming hole here.

"Much of the unrest in Darfur and the misery is due to water shortages," said geologist Farouk El-Baz, director of the Boston University Center for Remote Sensing, according to the AP news agency. "Access to fresh water is essential for refugee survival, will help the peace process, and provides the necessary resources for the much needed economic development in Darfur," he said.

(In a cool side note, El-Baz learned how to interpret geological features by helping to pick landing sites on the moon for the U.S. Apollo space program.)

In the Middle East and Africa, it's all about water. Access to water resources lurks behind much of the festering violence there. That includes in Darfur, as many observers believe drought and desertification in North Sudan caused Arab nomads to move south and into conflict with black farmers. Experts estimate 200,000 people have been killed in four years.

Wouldn't it be great to solve this problem and end the enormous human suffering with only 1,000 wells?

Heck, I'll bet George Clooney would be willing to pay for them all.

6:24 PM ET | 07-18-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Water problem is a globale issue. With the globle warming situation become more and more serious, water problem seems be deteriorated even greater. How to solve it is a headache question.

Sent by ls | 11:08 PM ET | 07-18-2007

Water can even be a problem when there is plenty of water underground. Contamination of ground water, lack of money to harvest the water, and politics determining distribution ultimately effect health. Much of the world must now face these issues while few of us in the US ever consider water an issue. As our population increases and supplies shrink, we soon will. What is now going on in Belize may help us learn how to solve problems soon in Arkansss.

Sent by J. Gary Wheeler, MD | 9:38 AM ET | 07-19-2007

As a political geographer, I agree that water is frequently an 'ultimate' cause of much of the social tension and conflict in southwest Asia and northern Africa. However, it would be tragically inadequate to assume that 1,000 wells (even speaking proverbially) would solve the problem in Darfur any more than in would in the Occuped Territories. Yes, it could help provide desperately needed resources to a dying people, but a lasting peace in Darfur will only come from diplomatic pressure and international peacebuilding/peacekeeping initiatives that can protect the residents of Darfur while the Sudan government and the Janjaweed are "convinced" to change their behavior. The new water source, if proven to be accessible and potable, COULD play a powerful role in better distribution of long-term economic development and, as such, definitely may play a valuable role in finding the peace that we should be seeking.

Sent by Erinn N. | 9:59 AM ET | 07-19-2007

I live in New Mexico and ground water is a vital resource in this desert region. I think providing potable drinking water to the desert regions around the world would be a great effort to undertake. Access to ground water could significantly reduce the occurance of diseases like dysentary and malaria by reducing the need to use surface water sources. As far as solving political issues. The development of the water resources could encourage further incursion into the area by those seeking to control or utilize it. Look at the areas with oil reserves and the problems that occur there. Any significant development of the ground water resources in the Darfur region would need to be protected.

Sent by Allison H. | 10:42 AM ET | 07-19-2007

This just in: This week in the journal, Nature, the geologic community has come together to analyze this claim. In summary the consesus is that 1) this is not a new or innovative "discovery", but rather a higher resolution glimpse of a paleolake (ancient lake, not in existence) which has been mapped for at least 2 decades. 2) the claims of freshwater in vast reserves cannot be proven until wells have been drilled and the geophysical modeling is underway. 3) Indeed this ancient lake is in proximity (vertical proximity to older units) to the well established Nubian Aquifer which supplies most of Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Egypt where the reservoir may be at its thickest. 4) However, this aquifer is not sufficently recharged by meteoric waters, and in the case of Egypt, has a projected span of 50 more years of potable water. 5) The Nubian Aquifer underlying these ancient lacustrine (lake) deposits is relatively unknown in terms of thickness, continuity, and what exactly the underlying rocks are. They may actually be impermeable granites as one geologist suggests. 6) It is also unknown whether the water, if any, in this part of the aquifer is fresh water or saline water. 7) Dr. El-Baz's "hyping" of this "find" has led most Sudanese officials, and the Sudanese public at large a stray, some people believe this is an actual lake, perhaps with fish.

In summary, this does not negate the utility of Dr. El-Baz's find. What everyone agrees upon is that a geophysical survey needs to be established before a conclusion can be made about whether or not this provides an adequate supply of potable water for the Sudanese people. In my opinion that will not mitigate or suppress any of the genocide that is occuring in Darfur.

Sent by E.L. Gulbranson | 2:24 PM ET | 07-26-2007

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