Project Details
The HoA Groundwater Initiative (RGI) targets the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region, covering Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. It is home to a rapidly growing population of over 251 M people. Most of the population is poor and relies on rainfed agriculture and for its livelihood, in a climate characterized by irregular and unpredictable short rainy seasons and recurrent droughts. In this regard, the IGAD region is not homogeneous in terms of hydro-climatology. Rainfall is concentrated in the Ethiopian highlands and along the southwestern border of the region (southern Sudan, South-Sudan and Uganda), while the climate in the northern, eastern and southeastern parts of the region is characterized by low rainfall and high potential evapotranspiration.
A great part of the region is composed of arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), in which around 30% of the total population is found. Groundwater is the largest water resource in these areas, if not the only one available, having the greatest potential for providing water security and socio-economic benefits. Adding to this average low water availability, the region has been affected by longer dry periods since the second half of the 20th century until now, suffering several episodes of catastrophic and intense drought, and is now affected by increasing inter-annual variation in the length of the rainy season.
The ongoing Regional Groundwater Initiative (RGI) aims to assess the potential of the groundwater resources in the IGAD region, considering their variability in space and time, to strengthen drought resilience and contribute to poverty reduction. The activities will evaluate the role of groundwater resources in providing water security (e.g., for agriculture, livestock, drinking water, and other uses) in situations of fragility and conflict and will consider technical and economical limitations to their accessibility.
The IGAD Secretariat has received a financing from the Cooperation in International Waters (CIWA) towards the cost of the Regional Groundwater Initiative Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services to undertake the Feasibility Study on one of the aquifers in the region, namely, the Merti Aquifer.
Location
Djibouti
Client
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
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