In eastern Chad, a severe shortage of water continues to hinder daily life and exacerbate tensions over access to wells in the impoverished and arid desert region. Despite some progress, many residents of Abeche, the country’s second-largest city, still face irregular water supply, forcing them to rely on costly water purchases.

Officials estimate the population in the eastern part of Abeche exceeds 500,000 people, with rapid urban growth further straining already limited water resources. While parts of the city have piped water, the distribution can be unreliable. Residents report that taps often run dry during daytime hours, with water flow resuming only late at night. In more remote neighborhoods, the situation is worse, compelling many to continue fetching water manually from distant sources.

Access to safe, continuous water provision remains a major challenge for Chad overall. According to United Nations data from 2024, fewer than 10 percent of households nationwide have reliable access to safe drinking water. The largely semi-desert country, which began producing oil in 2003, remains impoverished, with over 70 percent of its population living in rural areas. Infrastructure development has lagged behind population growth and urban expansion, particularly in eastern regions.

In response, the government launched a water infrastructure project in 2019 centered on Biteha, approximately 35 kilometers from Abeche. Several boreholes were drilled to tap into groundwater, supplying two new water towers intended to boost supply within the city. Project manager Bakhit Diki Barkai reported improvements over the past three years, noting that while shortages have not been fully eliminated, the situation is now more manageable. He projected that by the end of the year, production would reach 25,000 cubic meters, effectively ending water scarcity in Abeche.

Local residents have experienced some relief due to these efforts. Ahmed Youssouf, who lives in the Chiteye neighborhood, said the new water tower there has restored a regular flow after years without reliable access. Nevertheless, infrastructure constraints persist, especially in outlying urban districts and rural communities, where many continue to endure long journeys to acquire water.

Nour Saleh Haggar, secretary-general of Chad’s Ministry of Water and Energy, emphasized the need for expanded investment in water infrastructure. He highlighted the importance of developing drinking water systems and storage projects, including dams and spreading weirs, to meet the needs of people, livestock, and agriculture. Significant disparities remain between urban and rural access, often fueling deadly conflicts over scarce resources.

At a recent international water forum held on July 15 in the capital N’Djamena, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno underscored the stakes involved. He warned that diminishing water supplies deepen poverty, cause suffering to people and livestock, and increase the risk of conflict in the region.