By Darrell Waller, Navy Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs
PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) — Three Ethiopian geologists were hosted recently by the Naval Facilities (NAVFAC) Engineering Service Center (ESC) as they sought assistance to discover new water sources for drought ravaged areas in the Horn of Africa.
The three engineers — Dagnachew Legesse, Zenaw Tessma and Tesfaye Tadasse — received a tour of the ESC facility and collaborated with ESC engineers on future water resources capacity building projects.
“We are happy to receive these gentlemen and help them in their efforts to build much needed water resources throughout the Horn of Africa,” said NAVFAC ESC Commanding Officer, Capt. Gregory J. Zielinski. “The horn has been devastated by conflict, as well as drought, famine and other natural disasters. The Combined Joint Task Force and NAVFAC are diligently working with the people there to build an infrastructure that will improve their quality of life and bring some semblance of order out of chaos. This is important, gratifying work and we’re glad to lend a hand.”
During their visit to California, the Ethiopian scientists toured water management organizations and spent many days learning surface water computer modeling at the U.S. Army Corps Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) in Davis, Calif. The tours and modeling lessons provided them with essential tools to make better use of limited water supplies throughout the area and plan for disasters such as floods.
For nearly two years NAVFAC ESC has managed water resources capacity building projects in Ethiopia for the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) located in Djibouti. The U.S. Navy partners on projects with other DOD and federal agencies such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Geological Survey.
The government of Ethiopia, in December 2007, signed a five year memorandum of understanding with the CJTF-HOA, cementing a long term relationship between the two countries. U.S. government civilian engineers, geologists and hydrologists will work side by side with the Ethiopians on projects that enhance the ability of Ethiopia to manage its ground and surface water.