Paper details

Paper authors	Timmo Gaasbeek
In panel on	Changing the paradigm on water programming in fragile and dry contexts
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

This paper describes the IWRM approach followed by the Aqua4Sudan Partnership and the challenges encountered in its implementation. Since 2015, the Aqua4Sudan Partnership implements a 50 million USD programme aimed at developing replicable approaches to catchment-level IWRM, with funding from UKaid and the EU.
The approach that has been developed centers around catchment areas, for with water resources management committees are established with representation of local government and the different categories of water users. After a water balance analysis is done, a planning process is facilitated. The game changer in this process is taking people to see each other’s water problems. Once plans are approved, priority interventions are implemented.
Doing IWRM has not always been smooth sailing. Key constraints that had to be dealt with are: (1) lack of IWRM expertise, (2) mono-sectoral mindsets, (3) focus on communities rather than areas, (4) relief-oriented (and activity-focused) mindsets, (5) poor understanding of facilitated planning processes. On the other hand, flexible and patient donors, and a core team of motivated people, have been key to the emerging success of the programme.
The Aqua4Sudan Partnership embodies the humanitarian-development nexus by doing development in fragile contexts, which is fundamentally different from doing humanitarian stuff development-style.

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