Case Study 1: Kenyan Water Reservoirs

The project will help pastoral communities in the Mandera District of North-East Kenya to adapt to the impact of climate change on the area.

As a direct result of climate change, over the last fifteen years rainfall pattern in the region has been unpredictable and constantly below average. During the last drought (October 2005-February 2006) 80% of the livestock population was wiped out. It is estimated that only 10% of the total district population have access to safe and clean water.

There has also been constant inter-clan fighting over the scarce water resources; as the water sources dry up, the few remaining sources cannot sustain the livelihood of the communities and this leads to competition and conflict. Other social consequences include the movement of communities to market centres to beg and provide casual labour, in order to survive. Other people have been forced to give up pastoralism altogether, with disastrous consequences, including poverty, an increase in crime, children dropping out of school and environmental degradation, through the cutting down of trees for charcoal burning.

The project aims to help the local communities to adapt to climate change by constructing new water reservoirs (water pans), which store water from the short rains for use during dry periods. The project will also involve the renovation and rehabilitiation of existing boreholes and other water facilities as well as training of communities in the sustainable management of water facilities.

The project is being managed by Christian Aid