Global water initiative
Launched to address the declining state of the world's fresh water supply and the lack of access to clean water services, the Global Water Initiative comes at a time when more than one billion people lack access to 'improved' water sources, or water sources that are protected from the elements, such as covered wells or piped water. More than 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation.
Water resources are under increasing pressure from human use while communities are frequently affected by floods and droughts.
IIED coordinates the initiative in five countries in West Africa to address the challenges of providing long-term access to clean water and sanitation, access to water for rural production, and the protection of ecosystem services and watersheds. These services are critical to the survival of some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities including refugees and internally displaced people.
The Global Water Initiative aims to:
- Establish appropriate and sustainable water delivery and sanitation systems
- Empower local communities to govern and manage their water resources
- Strengthen understanding and sustainable management of water resources through environmental protection and conservation
- Address transboundary issues in water basin management
- Strengthen integrated water resource management policy and legislation with respect to tenure of land and water resources
- Build capacity and understanding among the relevant authorities to support participatory and accountable decision making
- Share information on the successes and failures of water interventions
- Facilitate inter-governmental coordination and cooperation.
The Global Water Initiative is coordinated through a partnership of seven leading international organisations and is active in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Dam Powers local development - Jamie Skinner - Feb 2013
This paper, from the IIEDs 'Reflect and act' series, showcases our work with the Global Water Initiative to improve development outcomes for people affected by the construction of the Kandadji Dam in Niger. It highlights lessons on policy and practice that can be applied across West Africa as a new wave of dams is designed and built.
Howard G. Buffet Foundation Global Water Initiative - West Africa Cluster Regional Strategy, September 2007
This strategy summarises our current thinking and provides a strategic framework for our decision-making and work in West Africa over the next 10 years.