The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is preparing a program aimed to further develop the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) practices in Rwanda.
The Integrated Water Resources Department of the Rwandan Natural Resources Authority is responsible for water resources management and is the partner institution of the Dutch water program.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 4th and 5th of December they jointly organized a workshop to define the challenges and possibilities for the program.
More than 40 people from 21 different institutions have participated in the workshop such as MINAGRI, EWSA, REMA, MINADEF, MINISANTE, Forestry, Mining, Land Department of RNRA also Rwandan Universities (NUR, KIST, INES) were present to deliver academic input and NGO’s to deliver field experience.
The two days were facilitated by the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment which has formulated an interactive program for the participants.
This workshop Was the first in a broad consultation process.
The Netherlands Embassy and the Water Department of Vincent de Paul Kabalisa want to involve stakeholders as much as possible, from problem definition until planning and implementation using a Strategic Environmental Assessment to guide these efforts effectively and constructively.
Rwanda’s economic and population growth, rapid urbanization and its limited land resources have made the Government of Rwanda aware of the need to manage its water resources in terms of sustainable use, allocation, equitable distribution, quality and quantity.
Erratic rains and dry spells have led to the realization that water resources can no longer be taken for granted and need to be managed properly, adapted to climate change.
Until recently water management in Rwanda has been approached from a pragmatic, service-oriented perspective.
Main sectorial water users such as agriculture, energy from hydro-power, industry and drinking water supply work without coordination with other sectors.
Now as Rwanda has high targets to increase food production, to generate more energy and a growing demand for water, water-using sectors understand that they have to collaborate.
The joint program of the Netherlands Embassy and the Water Department that is now in preparation is aimed to implement IWRM practices in Rwanda and to increase collaboration and coordination with water’s many stakeholders.
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Rwanda Natural Resources Authority
Integrated Water Resources Department
Leave a Reply