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Charity: CAMDA
Charity Number: 1086778

Communities in Mongolia rely on their herds but due to insufficient well-water, communities are suffering. CAMDA is addressing this by building wells in arid areas.

Current Situation
Continuing drought over three years blamed on global-warming but may also be cyclical. Some herders in project area have already moved to better watered provinces further north threatening ecological balance there. Normal herding migration was once seasonal, but increasingly herders are not returning if there are insufficient working wells for watering animals, or there is not enough viable grazing to return to. CAMDA’s earlier hydrological study indicated a minimum of 45 extra shallow pit wells needed in Project Area, but only 30 so far completed. Many areas of Dundgobi Province are still to be reached by project to minimise permanent migration of herding communities.
Boom in mining activity in area bordering Project Area has produced sharp rise in river water pollution by toxic effluent, where Ongin River is used extensively for watering livestock .

Proposed Solution
Medium to long-term strategy – to continue our ongoing programme of well-refurbishment or new wells in Project Area, selecting viable soum locations that are the most beneficial in leading to more permanent settlements with seasonal grazing practices; to support communities where their grazing and water rights for herd animals and themselves are being threatened, with potential loss of their livelihood. (Independent article 21.04.07 refers).

Plan for Money Received
Money will be spent providing labour, transport, materials and other expenses, to refurbish or dig new wells. Costs are kept low by soum authorities organising own labour force, and using local materials where available. Costs vary according to location, the condition and depth of each well, but typically £520 to £570 (£545average), for provision of labour cost and food (£170), lining, trough, head wall-stone, sealants, lid, (£285), transport costs (£90).

Climate prohibits well-work during winter, so progressively from March/April to October 2008, funding and weather permitting. Milestone November 2008.

Volunteering Opportunities
Too limited due to language difficulties, remoteness of locations, and fitting in timing with local authority soum labour organised for each well.

Mongoliaherders