Search

This publication is part of the ‘Integrated Drought Management Tools and Guidelines Series’, compiled by the Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP). This Handbook of Drought Indicators and Indices is based on available literature and draws findings from relevant works wherever possible. The handbook addresses the needs of practitioners and policymakers. The publication is considered as a resource guide/material for practitioners and not an academic paper. This publication is a ‘living document’ and will be updated based on the experiences of its readers. The indicators and indices detailed in chapter 7 of the handbook are also available online at www. droughtmanagement.info. IDMP encourages water managers and related experts engaged in the management of drought around the globe to participate in the enrichment of this publication.

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) Sponsoring Partners announced the appointment of Prof Lučka Bogataj among 5 new members for the GWP Steering Committee on 28 August.

WP7: Knowledge and Awareness

Water is not just part of the economy; it is embedded within the economy. Without water, the economy could not function. Thus water has the potential to lead the process of ‘greening’ the world’s economies. This is a Perspectives Paper, meant to incite a discussion on important issues related to water and development.

In 2011, GWP Central America published an updated version of the Status of Water Resources in Central America, a compilation of data on water resources in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. This publication presents advances and challenges in water resources management at country and regional level.

Central America is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world with regards to climate change.

GWP knowledge and expertise was shared with an IUCN-Asia delegation that visited the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat in Entebbe, Uganda, on 12 September 2011. GWP Eastern Africa presented its work on IWRM processes.

Uganda is faced with water scarcity, deteriorating water quality, floods and droughts, issues which are all negatively impacting Uganda's quest for economic and social development. The situation has, however, been improving with the launch of a Water Action Plan which promotes IWRM as an integral part of its strategy. Examining this case clearly illustrates that long term sustainability aspects such are often overlooked and instead, the focus is on short term domestic provision. 

Confronted with serious water issues constraining development, Burkina Faso decided to implement IWRM. The process has been conducted following three key steps: 1) assessing the status, 2) adapting the legal framework to IWRM principles and 3) Identifying key water resources management issues and developing an action plan. The main lesson learnt is that political will at the highest levels should be established at an early stage.