The main purpose of the workshop was to discuss the IDMP programme document and implementation arrangements expected to start in January 2015. Specifically, the workshop was intended to provide inputs into the exisiting programme document on drought resilience in the Horn of Africa and to design implementation arrangements in the period from 2015-2017. The outcome of the workshop is expected to help enrich the IDMP HOA program document to make it comprehensive in order to address the needs and priorities of the countries in the region.
The meeting was very successful and formulated a number of crucial recommendations:
- Countries need to prioritize the hot spots where program interventions will be done.
- Country Water Partnerships (CWPs) need to critically look at the consultant reports as well as the Country Programing Paper (CPP) to establish the linkage and ensure that the IDMP HOA program activities contribute to the CPP.
- The regional secretariat needs to expedite the country drought assessments for Somalia and South Sudan to generate information that will be the basis of implementing activities in those countries as well as completing the project document.
- The program document, which is the basis of implementing the various interventions in the region, has to be cascaded into the regional annual work plan to be approved by Regional Steering Committees.
- The regional secretariat needs to engage IGAD, which is a key-strategic partner in the region- GWPEA must expedite to formalize collaborations between GWP and IGAD.
- The Country Water Partnership together with the regional secretariat has to work towards leveraging funds once the program document is completed.
Two key points emerged very clearly from the meeting that can take the program forward. These are mainstreaming water security in drought management work and strengthening partnerships within the region. This will enable make much progress and add value as well as leverage more funds. Ownership of the project and its interventions is critical to create the desired drought resilience.