GAF has been awarded a contract by the Darfur Land Commission (DLC)

Munich, Germany, March 21, 2011. GAF has been awarded a contract by the Darfur Land Commission (DLC) to set up a Natural Resources and Land Use Database and Map for the whole of Darfur. The overall objective of this project is the establishment of a multi-layered and dynamic state-of-the-art natural resources information system that provides basic land management and planning information and thereby will enable decision makers to develop and manage Darfur’s natural resources in a sustainable way.

The DLC was established on 13th July 2007, as an integral part of the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA), in order to address traditional and historical issues of land tenure and to review natural resources management. The TDRA, the interim authority for the Darfur region of Sudan, was established in April 2007 under the terms of the Darfur Peace Agreement signed in May 2006. It is based in Khartoum and has branch offices in the three states of Darfur.

The TDRA is defined by the Darfur Peace Agreement as being the principal instrument for the implementation of that agreement and is tasked with enhancing coordination and cooperation among the three Darfur states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur. Its primary responsibilities include facilitating the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, coordinating the restoration of security, and promoting peace and reconciliation.

Generally, the Natural Resources and Land Use Database and Map for Darfur Project aims to increase the government's long-term institutional and technical capacity to manage Darfur’s natural resources, including agricultural land, natural areas, forests, minerals, water, cities, towns and villages. This will establish a basis for poverty reduction and also rural economic renewal in selected areas of the country, via the development of non-farm and farm income, thereby improving the social and economic welfare of the community and promoting a better environment.

This database will help decision makers and planners to establish plans for agricultural development and other land livelihood initiatives and to select the potentially most productive areas for investment and development projects. With a comprehensive capacity building component, the project will also enable the key rural and urban development and planning institutions to perform their tasks efficiently.

Dr. Peter Volk, CEO of GAF, comments, “We are very happy about the award of such an important project relating to the Darfur Peace Agreement. This multi-thematic project comprises geology and minerals, geomorphology, soils and land suitability, water resources, ecological and biological information, land cover, land use and socioeconomic conditions. The provision of such a broad range of expertise is one of the outstanding strengths of GAF.”

Eng. Adam Abdel Rahman Ahmed, Commission President, states, “We are very happy that such a worthwhile project is to be implemented that gives the people of Sudan in general and the people of Darfur in particular great expectations with regard the realisation of peace and stability. Such an unprecedented project will no doubt be seen as revolutionary throughout the whole Sudan as a unique example which could be replicated in other parts of the country. To conclude, when the project has reached a successful end, DLC expects to play a great role in maintaining sustainable development and peace in the region, thus leading to the solving of major problems with regards to natural resources and land use.”

About GAF AG:

GAF AG is an international consulting company with top quality skills and leading expertise in the field of applied remote sensing and spatial information systems. Over the last 25 years, GAF has worked in more than 100 countries throughout Europe, Africa, South-America and Asia. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of services including the supply of geo-data (e.g. satellite and aerial imagery, digital elevation models) and the provision of various geo-services (e.g. image processing, thematic mapping, GIS/DBMS applications and software development). GAF AG has a proven track-record of performing technical assistance projects in the natural resources and environment sector.  GAF is part of the Telespazio Group of companies, specialised in space and other high-tech services.

For more information, please contact:

GAF AG

Tel. +49 (0) 89 12 15 28 0

www.gaf.de

email: info@gaf.de

Aigner Marketing & Communications

Birgit Aigner

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Email: info@aigner-marketing.de