IWRM course in Burkina Faso

The Government of Burkina Faso is developing integrated water resource management (IWRM) plans for micro-scale level catchments. To assist their staff with the development and implementation of such plans, The Directorat Regional de l’Eau et de Assainissement (DREA-Nord) applied for a course. Thanks to the scoping mission held in January, the trainers of Acacia Water could identify knowledge gaps and tailor the training accordingly.

This April, a 5-day course was given by Dr. Maarten Waterloo and Marie Hürlimann  in Ouagadougou. The course was funded by NUFFIC and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The process of developping water management plans, assessment of the water demand and availability, monitoring and evaluation, use of geographic information systems (QGIS), measures for soil and water conservation strategies, and on implementation of plans were part of the training.

The course was attended by representatives of DREA, NGO in Burkina Faso (ODE), local water committees (CLE Gioinré, Tougou), the Water Police, a farmer’s association (ASPMY), and an NGO from Bénin (DEDRAS). According to our colleagues, the participants were very motivated.

Thanks to the training, the DREA can start develop and implement sustainable and inclusive IWRM plans. The participants of the course can continue learning and sharing knowlegde using the digital learning platfrom of Acacia Water.