Sorris Sorris water crisis deepens

THE water situation in the Sorris Sorris conservancy, north-west of Uis, has become dire as many communal farmers are struggling to get broken windmills repaired.

A working group between Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA), the Department of Water Affairs and Sorris Sorris members, was recently established to address the situation. An EHRA spokesperson said one family had been without water for three years because a part of their windmill was missing.They have to travel 20 kilometres by donkey cart to fetch water.Apart from the water problem, the family also has to confront a herd of about 20 desert elephants that pass through their farm regularly.EHRA started a project earlier this year to build protected water points for rural communities who share land with desert elephants.The working group is calling on farmers who have redundant windmill parts, or windmills they no longer use, to donate them to the Sorris Sorris community.EHRA will collect any donations made.People who would like to assist can contact EHRA at tel.064 – 504183 or on e-mail:elephant@iway.na.An EHRA spokesperson said one family had been without water for three years because a part of their windmill was missing.They have to travel 20 kilometres by donkey cart to fetch water.Apart from the water problem, the family also has to confront a herd of about 20 desert elephants that pass through their farm regularly.EHRA started a project earlier this year to build protected water points for rural communities who share land with desert elephants.The working group is calling on farmers who have redundant windmill parts, or windmills they no longer use, to donate them to the Sorris Sorris community.EHRA will collect any donations made.People who would like to assist can contact EHRA at tel.064 – 504183 or on e-mail:elephant@iway.na.