Paper details

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

Abstract

When implementing humanitarian programs in drylands, the technologies of water provision tend to be viewed as neutral outputs for improving access to a contested resource. In the presentation I propose it’s the other way around: in a conflict or post conflict situation water is neutral, it’s the water technology that provokes, induces or catalyzes conflict or peace. The presentation will show this through a number of situations in Darfur. In Darfur the placement of pumps for instance can have direct impact on downstream users, denying them of drinking water; so called hafir dams can attract large herds of livestock that destroy the crops; technologies which require large groups to work on operation and maintenance arrangements are likely to frustrate users and be abandoned. On the other hand, strategically placed recharge measures such as locally practiced terracing and recently introduced subsurface dams manage to keep the little water that is falling close to the users. Unfortunately, agencies have too long used one size fits all solutions (borehole water). Parameters such as power distribution in management and operation, livelihood distinctions and resource availability between upstream and downstream users and technical capacities of builders and users should be the determining factor of implementation.

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