UNESCO's water family
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Background
Countries in the Arab region are confronted with various water problems due to both climatic conditions and socio-economic factors. From an eco-climatic point of view, most of the region extends across semi-arid, arid and hyper-arid zones. The semi-arid belts have been particularly affected by cycles of drought and desertification in the past. Socio-economically, the region is characterized by a fast increasing population, which has resulted in a sharp decline of the per capita availability of water, from about 2200 m3/c/y to less than 1000 m3/c/y over the past 25 years.
In response to these concerns, many countries have adopted policies for the sustainable management, development and efficient utilization of their water resources. However, due to increasing water scarcity and reduced per capita availability, many countries have recognized the urgent need to secure and utilize new supplies of water in order to sustain a minimum resource base. For many countries, the development and efficient utilization of the renewable sources of water in wadis is the only optimal solution for addressing water shortage problems. The efficiency of harnessing water from wadis will depend on the understanding and knowledge regarding the qualitative and quantitative hydrology and water resource potential of the wadi systems.
'Wadi', the Arabic word for ephemeral water courses in the Arab region, are a vital source of water in most Arab countries. Despite their important role as a vital source of water in many Arab countries, as well as other arid areas of the world, catastrophic flash floods occurring in wadis are a threat to many communities. Population growth and the building of settlements in and around wadis increase human and environmental problems when such flash floods occur. Furthermore, scientific understanding and knowledge of the hydrological processes of wadis are rather poor in most countries. The current IHP-V Wadi Hydrology programme aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding of wadi systems, and to develop the human and institutional capacities needed for the sustainable management of wadis and their water resources in arid and semi-arid areas.
Wadi Hydrology Network
At the initiative of the Sixth Regional Meeting of the IHP committees of Arab Countries, held in Jordan, in December 1995, a special project on `Wadi Hydrology' was proposed in line with the UNESCO Cairo Office's ongoing activities in the selected priority area of rainfall water management. After the meeting in Jordan, the idea of a project on Wadi Hydrology was unanimously endorsed by the UNESCO/NWRC/ACSAD Workshop on `Wadi Hydrology' held in Cairo on 5-6 June 1996. During this particular workshop, a network on Wadi Hydrology was created, with ACSAD serving as its regional co-ordinator. Consequently, a draft resolution (XII-9) on Wadi Hydrology was approved and subsequently submitted to the 12th IHP Intergovernmental Council meeting of September 1996 where it was accepted and endorsed. As a result, Wadi Hydrology is now incorporated into the 1998/1999 work plan of the International Hydrological Programme of UNESCO as a global action co-ordinated by the Regional Hydrologist at the UNESCO Cairo Office.
Objectives
UNESCO Cairo Office's regional programme on `Wadi Hydrology', under Theme 5 of the current cycle of the International Hydrological Programme, has the following development objectives :
To improve the understanding and knowledge of the hydrological processes in arid and semi-arid zones with emphasis on Wadi Hydrology.
To develop a concept of integrated and sustainable development and management of wadi systems and improve methodologies and education on coping with water scarcity in dry regions.
More specifically the project aims at :
Improving and consolidating knowledge on the physical processes of Wadi Hydrology through research and development;
Enhancing the water resources development and management capabilities in Wadi systems through the development of approaches and cost effective techniques for the integrated development and management of wadi systems;
Strengthening human resources and institutions in the region through training and capacity building activities at various levels.
Network structure
To achieve these objectives a regional network has been established, with the Arab Center for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry lands (ACSAD) as its co-ordinator. The network secretariat is composed of the founding organizations: UNESCO Cairo Office, ALECSO and ACSAD. The general assembly is constituted entirely of Arab IHP Committees, and meets biannually. A Steering Committee meets regularly to discuss network activities, and is composed of focal representatives from funding organizations, experimental wadis, and regular training courses.
Activities
Training
The following courses are organized regularly through the network:
- Regional Short Course on "Hydraulic Engineering for Water Harvesting in Arid and Semi-Arid Environment", (Hydraulic Research Institute (HRI) of Egypt and the International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE) of the Netherlands).
- International Workshop on Wadi Hydrology, Amman, Jordan (Water and Environment Research and Study Center of the University of Jordan - WERSC).
- Regional Workshops on Wadi Hydrological Networks; (Damascus, Syria, ACSAD, UNESCO, and WMO).
Research Programme :
Research on the network in selected representative Wadis will cover the following areas :
- Hydrological processes under semi-arid conditions;
- Rainfall-runoff models;
- Development of water resources through water harvesting, hill reservoirs, and artificial recharge;
- Integrated water resources development.
The following representative Wadis have been selected in the Arab Region :
| Egypt | Wadi Arabi, Wadi El Firan |
| Syria | Wadi El Abiad (the White Wadi,Wadi Sindiana) |
| Tunisia | Wadi Marg El Leil |
| Morocco | Wadi Maasa |
| Sudan | Wadi Al-Owaiteeb, Wadi Abu Habl |
| Jordan | Wadi Hassan (in the Azrak basin) |
| Palestine | Wadi Gaza |
| Yemen | Wadi Zabeed |
Participation :
The network is open to all Arab IHP Committees, relevant institutions in the Arab region, IGOs, NGOs, UNOs. Contributions to the research activities are welcomed, and members will receive invitations to training workshops and expert meetings.
Global co-operation :
The network aims to co-operate with similar networks or institutes engaged in activities related to Wadi research worldwide.
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