The Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa (GWPEA), Capacity Building Network for IWRM (Cap-Net) through Nile IWRM Net, and the Water and Land Resource Center (WLRC) organised a training on Applying Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Tools for Drought Risk Management at Panorama Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 15 to 19 June 2015. The aim of the training was to strengthen the capacity of water and climate professionals in the Horn of Africa (HOA) region on drought disaster risk management, IWRM approach and the need for timely responses to forecasted climate-related risks. The target audience was participants from the water/climate change/disaster related ministries, agencies and academia within the HOA region.

The training was officially opened by the Ethiopian State Minister for Water, Energy and Irrigation- H.E Kebede Gerba. The Minister noted that water resources in the region are facing pressure due to the increasing human population and poverty as well as climate change.  He indicated that development of water in the HOA region would benefit from IWRM approaches and lead to sustainable and equitable utilization of the resource.

The training, which was planned as a pilot, was attended by 30 participants working in areas of water, agriculture, climate change, and disaster management. The training also provided an opportunity for more interactive exchange of ideas and experiences among the participants.

The training was organized in line with Cap-Net’s core theme of capacity development for sustainable management of water resources, and GWP EA’s Integrated Drought Management Program in the Horn of Africa, whose objective is to develop capacity and enhance partnership and collaboration in drought management.

Participants acquired knowledge and skills in a number of areas which include drought occurrences, vulnerabilities and IWRM; drought characterization, monitoring and forecasting; drought risk management frameworks and interventions.

The training also involved a one-day field visit program to the Ethiopian Central Rift Valley area, specifically to Lake Ziway which provided the participants an opportunity to learn and share lessons on IWRM practices on the ground.

Participants agreed on follow up actions that included development of a five year capacity building program on drought resilience in the HOA/Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region. The program that will be developed is expected to attract more partners to join hands in building capacity to address drought disasters in the HOA/IGAD region.

Training organised by: