The Maasai live in an area of Kenya that has no water in the rivers for half a year. To address the water scarcity, the Water for the Maasai project was initiated. In this project, the Maasai, the donor and the NGO work closely to cooperate in the key issues of education, training and long-term guidance. The key lesson is that it takes time to build trust among donors, NGOs and native populations.
Although the West African Sub-region is well advanced in IWRM, some countries still need more support. A strategy was developed to help countries that had formally requested IWRM planning assistance. The lesson learnt is that participatory processes take much longer than non-participatory ones, nonetheless, they are still favourable since they provide a platform for discussion and a place to exchange ideas.
The Upper Veda Project involves a dam that would submerge 14 villages. Opposing the project, the affected communities took action and urged for alternative solutions. The dam was eventually constructed, but the process was characterised by conflicts between the project authorities and the communities. This case illustrates that dam projects, which directly affect the livelihoods of large numbers of people, need to have developed a well defined rehabilitation plan prior to construction.
Hebei has only met water demand through overdraft of deep groundwater, resulting in the formation of a groundwater overdraft depression. This issue is further exacerbated by saline water intrusion into the groundwater tables. The water administrative department has taken measures accounting for IWRM principles, for example by establishing the Water Users Association to encourage participatory management. The lesson learnt is the value of a participatory approach in management.
The situation analysis for Bugesera transboundary catchment under the Water, Climate and Development Program (WACDEP) kicked off Wednesday, 21st November 2012 in Bugesera, borderline between the two countries.
A launch will take a long time. Be prepared to wait and double check everything. Many things cannot be undone!
The Regional Workshop "IWRM as a practical approach to Climate Change Adaptation in Caucasus and Central Asia" under support by and in cooperation with SDC was held on 18-19 March 2013 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Conflicts over water use in the Chancay-Lambayeque Basin in northern Peru have increased sharply.