World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
In this photo, taken in 2005, young Malik, Soutout, and Sadeya were digging for water in a drying seasonal marsh. The children played and sang as we walked the twelve miles from their home to the marsh, carefree and relieved to conduct this “short” water errand. The rains had filled up the marshes, and for a few months — as long as the water did not completely evaporate — they would not have to undertake a daylong search for the precious liquid. Once the marsh had dried, their 50 mile journey to sparse 150 deep wells would begin.
Since 2005, the rainy season has grown even shorter, and water is a rare and precious treasure. Desertification is rampantly taking over the Sahel and much of Africa.
Let us all take action, in whatever way we can, to combat desertification and drought.