The objective of the project is for the SADC member states to develop cooperatively a strategic regional approach to support and enhance the capacity of its member States in the definition of drought management policies, specifically in relation to the role, availability (magnitude and recharge) and supply potential of groundwater resources. The project consists of four components.
- The first, development and testing of a groundwater drought management plan for the Limpopo River Basin pilot areas, will test the application and replicability of methods of decreasing the vulnerability of local communities and GDEs to the effects of groundwater droughts, and to ensure that practical on-the-ground benefits accrue to local people from the project.
- The second, regional groundwater drought management support, will provide tools for transboundary groundwater management, including hydrogeological maps and maps of groundwater vulnerability and water scarcity.
- The third, establishment of the Groundwater Management Institute of Southern Africa (GMISA), will create an institution to increase knowledge of and capacity for groundwater management in SADC, in order to sustain the work of the project and maintain readiness to address future drought events.
- The fourth, project management and administration, will provide maximum extemal support to the SADC Water Division.
This will assist in reconciling the demands for socio-economic development and those of the principal groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Tools will be elaborated for regional cooperative management of transboundary aquifers and to guide sustainable downstream investments in proactive drought mitigation.
Groundwater
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Regional
Karoo Sedimentary Aquifer , Limpopo Basin , Tuli Karoo Sub-basin , Ramotswa Dolomite Basin , South-east Kalahari / Karoo Basin , Medium Zambezi Aquifer , Nata Karoo Sub-basin , Northern Kalahari / Karoo Basin , Karoo Sandstone Aquifer
Aquifers
Budget
USD 13,900,000
Total Cost of the project
USD 7,000,000
GEF Allocation to project
Partners
The main focus is on helping the poorest people and the poorest countries, but for all its clients the Bank emphasizes the need for:Investing in people, particularly through basic health and educationFocusing on social development, inclusion, governance, and institution-building as key elements of poverty reduction Strengthening the ability of the governments to deliver quality services, efficiently and transparently Protecting the environment Supporting and encouraging private business developmentPromoting reforms to create a stable macroeconomic environment, conducive to investment and long-term planning.
Contacts
Chief Engineer
Project manager
Communications Officer
Senior Water Resource Specialist