Enhancing Water Resource Knowledge and Climate Resilience in Mauritania
Context
Mauritania relies heavily on external water sources, especially the Senegal River, which supplies most of its renewable water resources. However, the distribution of these resources is uneven, and many regions lack sufficient access to water. The country faces serious water scarcity and high vulnerability to climate change, both of which threaten water security, ecosystem preservation, and the livelihoods of rural communities.
Climate change has significantly impacted the country, with temperatures expected to increase by 2.0 to 4.5°C by 2080, accompanied by more frequent heat waves and greater variability in rainfall. These changes exacerbate desertification, reduce water availability, and contribute to increased salinity in water resources. The deterioration of aquatic ecosystems impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services essential to human livelihoods.
Women, who are often responsible for collecting water for their households, are especially vulnerable. Water scarcity and climate change magnify their workload and restrict their economic opportunities. During droughts, women and girls must travel further to fetch water, exposing them to higher risks of violence and sexual assault.
The technical assistance tackles barriers to climate-resilient water management through integrated, gender-responsive strategies. The initiative will enhance knowledge of surface water, groundwater, and wetlands while developing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plans. Scientific evidence and an inclusive approach will ensure adaptation plans meet the needs of women and marginalised communities while strengthening institutional capacities for climate change adaptation planning.
Goal
To address Mauritania’s urgent need for evidence-based, integrated, and adaptive water governance, combating climate-related threats and supporting sustainable development by enhancing capacity and resources for implementing climate change adaptation efforts that improve the understanding and resilience of water resources in Mauritania.
CAA Technical Assistance
The technical assistance will deliver:
- Understand and monitor the interactions and current status of Mauritania’s diverse water sources, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, wetlands, and dams, which are currently inadequately regulated and degraded.
- Address water insecurity worsened by climate change, such as droughts, severe flooding, and rising sea levels, which endanger water availability and quality.
- Support socio-economic development by ensuring essential water resources for drinking water, agriculture, industry, and groundwater recharge.
- Develop watershed plans within the framework of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to enhance awareness of climate risks.
- Determine water management priorities considering the impacts of climate change.
- Support national strategies that enhance resilience to climate variability.
