FogHarvesting: sustainable water solutions for Morocco

Foundation Dar Si Hmad

Think Human Fund

Mission & History

Foundation Dar Si Hmad was founded in April 2010 in the town of Sidi Ifni, Morocco by its co-founders Dr. Aissa Derhem and Dr. Jamila Bargach. Grounding its work in the realities of Southwest Morocco as a not-for-profit organization.

Dar Si Hmad promotes local culture and creates sustainable initiatives through education and the integration and use of scientific ingenuity, within the communities of Southwest Morocco.

Country Information

Morocco is grappling with a persistent drought severely impacting various sectors, like agricultural exports crucial to the country’s economy. The Southwest region, particularly Guelmim-Oued Noun where Foundation Dar Si Hmad operates, is experiencing even more severe effects due to its low annual rainfall of 80 mm and cyclical droughts. This has led to fragile ecosystems and precarious living conditions. This region continues to struggle with high illiteracy rates, and the monolingual Amazigh women reach a high 69.2%. Guelmim-Oued Noun is one of Morocco’s poorest areas, with an economic growth rate of only 7.9% in 2021 and a poverty rate of 54.2% in both rural and urban areas (source: www.hcp.ma). Additionally, the region has been devastated by a severe mealybug infestation, which has destroyed over 280,000 hectares of cactus fruit, a key livelihood resource.

The Need

In March 2015, five pilot villages were equipped with 600 m² of nets. By November 2018, 15 villages had direct water access from 31 CloudFisher units and 1,695 m² of nets. This initiative has eliminated thirst and water-related anxiety for 700 people, improved overall health, and reduced water-borne diseases, particularly in children. Hygiene has improved, and Amazigh pastoralists no longer need to sell livestock during dry seasons, as wells now provide sufficient water for their animals. School attendance for girls has increased, with one school staying open due to returning families. The Foundation will extend its services to 12 more villages facing similar issues.

The Project We Fund

Traditional water scarcity solutions often miss the potential of atmospheric moisture. The Boutmezguida project proves that fog can be a sustainable water source even in harsh climates. The reliable fog-collection technology, using the German-designed CloudFisher, has supported 16 villages and will soon benefit others regionally. They plan to expand to Tabettist, expecting better results based on our climate data.

Their approach involves completing technical and ecological studies, securing permits, selecting contractors, and starting construction and connecting new villages to integrate pipelines and enhance water yield for agriculture. Their expertise with CloudFishers confirms their effectiveness in addressing water scarcity.

The Result

Since launching the initiative ten years ago, they have continuously monitored its impact. They perform baseline studies focusing on key areas such as water anxiety, hygiene, living standards, school attendance, livestock numbers, and overall health. They have conducted three major evaluations of the Boutmezguida project—in 2015, 2019, and 2022—though the 2022 evaluation was limited by COVID restrictions. They will use the same KPIs to track progress in new communities using the CloudFisher, and develop new questionnaires to assess the use of fog water for sustainable agriculture. Impact tracking will occur every 12 months for the first two years and then every three years thereafter. They also provide seasonal summer employment for university students, particularly young women from Agadir who are fluent in Tamazight, to facilitate access to local women.

2025 Midterm Report

Foundation Dar Si Hmad achieved significant milestones in Morocco. The strategic partnership led to the successful construction of a critical dirt road connecting the village of Timetda to Mount Tabttist. This infrastructure development, completed by June 25, 2025, facilitated the installation of CloudFisher fog collection nets, contributing to sustainable water management in the region. In collaboration with other partners, they emphasized their commitment to improving living conditions and enhancing climate resilience in local communities. The initiative not only addressed water scarcity issues but also improved health and hygiene, offering more time for community members to engage in other productive activities.