Due to its geographical location and to the natural features of its climate, the MENA region figures historically among the most water scarce areas of the world and water management issues have always represented significant challenges. However, the region now faces an increasing and alarming water scarcity due to the growing pressure on water resources induced by the economic development and demographic growth.
Non-revenue water (NRW) is a major problem for water utilities worldwide and especially in low and middle income countries (LAMIC). In light of this problem, the African Water Association and USAID’s Further Advancing the Blue Revolution Initiative (FABRI) launched a new four-year program to reduce NRW in 20 African water utilities in 16 countries in east, central, southern, and West Africa.
As originally conceived, Advancing the Blue Revolution Initiative (ABRI) was expected to transform the culture and governance of water in the Middle East and Africa. ABRI‘s mandate was to advance that transformation. This final report outlines how, in its brief three years of implementation, ABRI did exactly that.
Related
Jordan is recognized as one of the ten most water deprived countries in the world. Domestic water use in Jordan is among the lowest in the world, and barely meets basic household needs for sanitation, cooking, and cleaning. The influx of Syrian refugees living in host communities and refugee camps is further draining the limited water supply.
The Sustainable Water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA) program was designed to improve access to safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable water and sanitation services for unserved and underserved urban populations in sub-Sahara Africa. The program fostered urban water sector reforms to solve policy, institutional, regulatory, financial, and operational challenges that hindered the effective delivery of sustainable water and sanitation services for urban residents in nine African nations.
The Sustainable Water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA) program was implemented from 2005–2009 to improve access to safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable water and sanitation services for unserved and underserved urban populations in sub-Sahara Africa. The program fostered urban water sector reforms to solve policy, institutional, regulatory, financial, and operational challenges that hindered the effective delivery of sustainable water and sanitation services for urban residents in nine African nations.
The USAID Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project prepared this report in collaboration with the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) in the Philippines.
This year's Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from March 13-17, 2017.
Agricultural water management (AWM) seeks to use water in a way that provides crops and animals the amount of water they need, enhances productivity, and conserves natural resources for the benefit of downstream users and ecosystem services.
Why Agricultural Water Management Matters
Throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, fresh water is being consumed faster than it is being replenished. Irrigation accounts for most of this use. Unlike traditional flood-style or rain-fed irrigation, drip irrigation delivers controlled amounts of water directly to each plant through a series of tubes and emitters. This can reduce agricultural water consumption by 30 to 60 percent and increase crop yields by 20 to 50 percent, yet only 27 percent of the irrigated cropland in MENA countries uses the technology.
