Integrated Water Resource Management Consultant

Water insecurity in Afghanistan is manifested through climate change with increased frequency of droughts; conflict and migration over the last 20 years plus population growth and increased demand especially in urban centers and for agriculture. Afghanistan has for decades missed opportunities for development due to both external and internal challenges including conflicts. The country is covered by five river basins. Most of rivers/streams are intermittent and run for only 3-4 months during the wet season.  Therefore, groundwater is a strategic storage, and plays a leading role for various purposes such as: domestic/drinking, irrigation, industries and environmental security, while providing a buffering capacity against climate hazards such as droughts and if managed properly could also assist in mitigating some of the detrimental consequences of flooding. As Afghanistan’s population continues to grow, there is increasing pressure to further exploit groundwater for further development.  This trend will cause further negative consequences on the qualitative and quantitative impacts on groundwater that will challenge their socio-economic development and environmental security.  Afghanistan faces some of the highest levels of natural hazards in the world. This is reflected in its ranking as the 5th most at-risk country out of 191 countries.
In order for Afghanistan to become climate resilient and on a positive developmental trajectory, using water resources as a major driver for change, support over the long term may be required in the overlapping and interrelated dimensions of integrated water resource management viz.
Understanding of all the components of the water cycle and how they interact with each other or the water balance – especially conjunctive use of surface and groundwater.
The relationship between land (soils, geology, topography, and geomorphology), land use and demands in water for all uses: and
Policy and regulation, water infrastructure for supply and resource protection, and institutions and stakeholders.
A national consultation workshop was held on 2-5 October 2023 involving more than 100 participants from various stakeholders. The national consultations workshop brought together experts, stakeholders, and leaders from diverse backgrounds to collaborate in thoughtful dialogue which aimed to explore innovative strategies, share knowledge, experience, and develop practical solutions that will pave the way for a sustainable and equitable water future in Afghanistan.  The deliberations in the workshop resulted to adoption of set recommendations for thematic areas related to i) water resource management ii) water resource development iii) water resources monitoring and iv) Disaster risk reduction including early warning. The participants of the workshop included wide range of stakeholders consisting of officials of national ministries (Ministry of Energy and Water, Ministry of Rehabilitation and Rural Development,
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