- UNESCO launches $8 million project to improve groundwater management in Tanzania and Kenya
- Focus on preserving 400 acres of Mount Kilimanjaro's forest, a vital water source for over two million people
- Initiative combines scientific research with local community support to enhance water access and conservation efforts
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched a $8 million project to improve groundwater management in Tanzania and Kenya.
UNESCO extends lifeline to two African nations with $8 million water initiative
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As announced by UNESCO's Director-General, the initiative aims to combine scientific research with local community support to enhance water access and conservation efforts.
A key focus of the project is preserving 400 acres of Mount Kilimanjaro's forest, a vital water source for over two million people.
The initiative, led by UNESCO in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
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As part of its initial phase, UNESCO will expand scientific research efforts, mapping regional aquifer systems to improve groundwater management. This process is expected to provide an additional 100,000 people with direct access to drinking water.
“The aim will also be to improve groundwater storage and supply during the dry season to benefit 615,000 people who are currently exposed to water shortages,” the body added.
Tanzania, Kenya partner with UNESCO
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, emphasized the urgent need to protect the melting glaciers of Kilimanjaro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
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UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay said the initiative aims to combine scientific research with local community support to enhance water access
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"The melting glaciers pose an imminent threat to over two million people in Tanzania and Kenya. The international community must support the authorities and local populations to protect this vital resource." She noted.
UNESCO will invest $8 million in the project over the coming years.
Tanzanian Water Minister Jumaa Aweso echoed the importance of international cooperation in water resource management to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
He cited the Kilimanjaro water project, covering the Rombo and Hai districts, as a successful example of collaboration in water conservation.
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Minister Aweso expressed gratitude for UNESCO's strategic support, announcing, "The partnership between Tanzania and UNESCO has yielded positive results, including the implementation of this $8 million international groundwater project. This is a major step forward, and we appreciate the support in making this project a reality."
Kenya’s Water and Irrigation Minister, Eric Mugaa, reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing clean, safe, and affordable water for all, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6 and the country’s constitutional mandate on water and sanitation.
However, he acknowledged challenges such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and competing water demands, emphasizing the need for innovative and collaborative solutions.
To improve water access, the Kenyan government has completed groundwater mapping in Tana River, Wajir, and Marsabit counties, with ongoing work in Mandera County.
