Workshop Water for three States in Sudan

While the Nile recorded the highest waterlevel in the last 100 years, the Water for 3 States project is taken towards the final phase in Khartoum during august 14-17, 2017. Meanwhile in the 3 states Kassala, Gedaref and Red Sea the water availability is still minimal. Multiple dry years subsequently emphasize the need for interventions.

Water scarcity is often tackled by big water harvesting structures. The approach of the Water for 3 States project is different. Timmo Gaasbeek of ZOA Sudan states: ‘The east of Sudan is an area with a lot of tension. We need to discuss all aspects of the catchment before we make the right recommendations: sociological, economical and hydrological. We want to think small and upscale the local interventions to increase the impact desired’

Multiple instream and off stream interventions can create an improved water availability without the risk of attracting large numbers of livestock. The recommendations differ for each catchment. It is a real puzzle to provide all stakeholders in the catchment of water. For example, If communities located upstream claim too much water to recharge their wells, there is too little left for a harvest in the downstream areas. The database, SWAT-model and Water Resources Potential Maps of Acacia Water contributed to a good discussion with the local implementation partners.

During the workshop in Sudan, the final results were presented and discussed. Together with RAIN/AIDenvironment recommendations were made based on discussions with ZOA Sudan and the local implementation partners. This year, the final phase of the Water for 3 States project will kick-off and the interventions of the catchment management plans will be built.