What Happened to Libya's Great Man-Made River Project?

The Great Man-Made River (GMMR) is an extraordinary network of pipelines, hailed as the world's largest irrigation project. Stretching across Libya, it channeled fresh water from the ancient Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System to the bustling northern Mediterranean cities, including Tripoli and Benghazi. Covering a remarkable distance of up to 1,600 kilometers, this system supplied 70% of all freshwater used in Libya, transforming the arid landscape and supporting millions.

Beneath the desert sands lies the world's most extensive underground pipe and aqueduct network, spanning 2,820 kilometers. With over 1,300 wells, many deeper than 500 meters, the GMMR delivers an astonishing 6.5 million cubic meters of fresh water daily. The late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi once proclaimed it the "Eighth Wonder of the World," and it's easy to see why.

The GMMR has faced significant challenges, including damage during the First Libyan Civil War in 2011 when NATO airstrikes targeted a crucial pipe manufacturing plant. Despite claims of military use, the impact on water supply infrastructure was profound. The Second Libyan Civil War further strained the system, with infrastructure neglect and breakdowns. So where is the project now?

[markorsrpska]

Where democracy passes, the rivers dry up.

[kaf]

Who measures water in square meter? Did you mean cubic meters?

[hhg]

How can you talk about the amount of water in km²? That makes no sense.

[Harry_Gersack]

WOW. WRONG.
Not even 3 minutes in and already so many mistakes.

You're talking about the Kufra basin which actually is a region not an aquifer. And it's area is only 8000km^2 which isn't even close to the 350000km^2 you stated in the video.
There is part of an aquifer beneath it, but that aquifer actually spans across Libya, Sudan, Chad and Egypt. So your map is also very wrong.
Also you are repeatedly mixing up the measurements and units for areas and volume. You can't measure a volume in square kilometers.
I won't even bother watching the whole video

[JesuisBatuhan]

It is a sad situation for the Libyan people that this project has stopped.

[davidbeattie]

Making a growing population absolutely dependent on a finite non rewable water source strikes me as a somewhat risky long term plan.

[christopherx]

The no-fly zone over Libya was NOT a Nato intervention but initiated and authorized by the UN security council in resolution 1973.

[Machines.In.Action]

The vision behind the Great Man-Made River was truly ahead of its time.

[murrayelliott]

200, 000 Km wide ???? lost me at 2:36 !!!

[supremepartydude]

You never bothered to mention that this water is a non-renewable resource. 😂

[josephrubalema]

The West as always very well meaning for Africans

[milshubra]

Great video, what was the music in the background?

[AM-jwlo]

Another content provider who thinks we need sound effects on scene changes. We buddy i don't need your video's when you insult my ears. Goodbye

[gibbogle]

It is tragic how all the efforts of people who have worked to improve the lives of everybody in the country are derailed by men who like firing guns.

[ratuadilFF]

Didalam bumi ada samudera, bisa di pompa ke permukaan, cek dengan satelit. Padang pasir harus disuburkan

[ecoideazventures]

Libya needs to judiciously use its oil and water resources so that generations can utilise this god-gift!

[smarteveryday]

water in dessert ? Gaddafi is a hero, no mater what.

[WASHINGinAZ]

Let us not forget, other countries have constantly intervened in its governments attempts to govern without colonial powers attempting to exploit, it is important to understand what happens when people are not allowed to practice sovereignty which most African countries do not get to enjoy

[vincentkosgei]

I see line of death included in the map😂

[FC-sewf]

Why quantify water in square kilometers?