Context:
Water-related conflicts are intensifying in Benin. In northern Benin, in particular, disputes over water among arable and livestock farmers are increasing. The disheartening situation is being exploited by jihadist terrorists. Furthermore, climate change is leading to periods of drought, flooding and storms. At the same time, the demand for water in the agricultural sector, industry and among the growing population in Benin is increasing.
Objective:
Water availability and access has improved, and the population is more resilient to climate risks.
Approach:
The project supports Benin’s Government with the aim of improving the management of water resources. The objective is to protect water as a scarce and essential resource through integrated water resources management (IWRM). The population is also to be made more resilient and conflicts over use reduced. Both these aspects improve social cohesion.
Project partners are Benin’s water and environment ministry, local water committees and non-governmental organisations. With a focus on northern Benin, the project implements local measures for water resource management. The measures include establishing water protection zones and natural reservoirs. Local water committees contribute to fairer distribution of water resources – which benefits poorer households, in particular.
Together with the relevant ministries, procedures are being introduced that set the rates to be charged for water extraction, so that further measures can be financed in the long term. The project is also expanding a digital information system for water resources, which improves cooperation among those involved and provides reliable data.
The project protects water resources in Benin while defusing water-related conflicts.