WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 2010

Introduction to the Problem:

 

Ethiopia experiences two rainy seasons – the first, and more reliable, is the Meher (summer) rain which starts in May/June and extends into September/October. The second and less reliable is the Belg (spring) rain which starts in January and continues through to the end of April. As climate change takes hold, local people are less and less able to rely on these regular rainfall patterns.

 

In 2009 the Belg rains failed in many parts of Ethiopia, resulting in catastrophic drought, non-existent harvests and the death of both people and livestock. Seed stocks were eaten into in order to survive which left nothing to plant for the following season. Drought that produces famine is not so much a process of lack of rainfall but a lack of resources and know-how to combat the drought. People already at the margins of survival, balancing their livelihoods on a daily basis have little in the way of a buffer when nature tips the balance against them and when crisis strikes it is absolute and devastating.

 

Many have the impression of Ethiopia as a dry and dusty land, which in many areas it is, however Wuchale and Jidda Highland Woredas experience many months of waterlogging, with some communities completely cut off. Due to lack of adequate irrigation, as the dry seasons approach, this surface water just evaporates away causing months of desperate water shortages. Local women and children have to walk literally miles to fill up water containers from water holes which they share with their livestock (see pic), with the associated health risks.

 

The Project Area:

 

Starting in early 2010, Sunarma will embark upon a vital water development programme at Wuchale and Jidda Woreda.

120,000 people live in these two Woreda and most are dependent on the land for their livelihood. A survey undertaken in 2006 stipulated the importance of involving the communities at the start of the process and building on local expertise, rather than bring in completely new systems. SUNARMA is already working with these communities and there are established groups who have demonstrated the basic capacity to organise themselves to manage appropriate, small scale irrigation systems.

There are many rivers, permanent springs and water is available at a shallow depth – between 5 and 15m deep. Around 86 per cent of the land is poorly drained – the main cause of water logging in the area. SUNARMA is working with the local authorities, government agencies and NGOs in the area to explore appropriate solutions to the issue of more effective water management.

 

Project Objectives:

Food Security

Income generation

Health improvements/benefits

Reduce time and effort for women and children fetching water.

 

The project will bring sustainable systems for providing clean water to hundreds of households through a range of measures. Training in the operation and maintenance of any structures built will take place, taking account of any environmental considerations such as whether the watershed can cope with an increase in irrigation demand.

 

The project will include:

 

Microscale Irrigation: for Garden Vegetables and Fruit Trees etc

Construction of Hand Dug wells with hand pumps

Development of Springs

Construction of river pump schemes

 

 

 

Drinking Water Supply: For Local Domestic water supplies including clean drinking water

Construction of Hand Dug wells.

Development of Capped Springs

Hygiene and Sanitation - Latrine construction and hygiene education

 

Capacity Building and Project Management

Initial Survey and Specification,

Working with Community on organization and joint planning,

Training in irrigated agriculture: operation & management of water facilities,

Experience exchange visits for Project staff and Beneficiaries,

Provision of Hand Tools and equipment,

Monitoring and evaluation