Is it permissible to consider digging wells in drought-stricken areas such as Sudan among the channels for Zakat?

The recipients of zakat are eight, mentioned in His (Allah's) saying: {Indeed, [prescribed] charitable donations are only to be given to the poor and the needy, and to those who work on [collecting] them, and to those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to [free] captives, and to those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and to the stranded traveler} (Quran 9:60). Digging wells and public service projects are not among these recipients. However, some scholars have included them under His saying: {and for the cause of Allah}. But the correct view is that "the cause of Allah" specifically refers to Jihad. It is permissible to disburse zakat to the poor and needy of the area so that they may dig wells with it or do whatever they wish.