Integrated Water Resource Management Project, Oromia, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a strategically important country for access to and conservation of water resources. The country suffers from very low water supply, causing the death of nearly 55,000 children every year. This problem is exacerbated by the lack of education and sanitary equipment in many rural areas, which has a severe impact on living conditions, health and livelihood of the communities. Only 2.5 litres of water is available per day per person and only 48% of the population live in sanitary conditions.

There are two main topics in relation to the use and management of fresh water in Ethiopia. The first is the development of water resources for human use. The second is the sound management of fresh water sources in order to ensure sustainable supplies in confronting climate change.

The aim of the project is to combat the severe degradation of the wetlands in Gandamia, the largest ecological site of Ethiopia. It aims to improve water access for rural communities as well as build sanitation facilities in the Mettu and Hurumu regions of Ethiopia.

The project consists of building and rehabilitating 51 water points and installing 16 toilets running on biogas. In addition, planting vetivers will reduce soil degradation and cultivating young seedling trees, vegetables and spices will improve food security.