afrol News, 22 October - SADC Groundwater and Drought Management Project has announced launch of its website today, aimed at increasing awareness and sharing of information on groundwater and drought management issues in Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The website will also strengthen objective of Groundwater and Drought Management Project which is to develop consensus on a regional strategic approach to support and enhance capacity of SADC member states in the definition of drought management policies, specifically in relation to the role, availability (magnitude and recharge) and supply potential of groundwater resources.

Senior programme manager for water at SADC secretariat, Phera Pamoeli said; “It is our hope that the website will contribute to increased awareness and understanding of groundwater and groundwater drought management in the region, resulting in the incorporation of groundwater principles into policy development and decision making throughout the SADC region”.

Groundwater is said to be an essential resource of great social, environmental and economic importance in SADC region, where it is also said to be the source of water for 70 percent of the population. However, regional reports state that there is inadequate awareness, limited resources and capacity in the region to implement effective management of groundwater and drought mitigation.

Reports further say that with continuous population growth and industrial expansion impacting the state of groundwater around the world, implementing comprehensive groundwater management strategies is critical.

The website will provide information on issues affecting groundwater management in SADC region as well as serve as a forum for information sharing on groundwater and drought management-related issues among decision makers, groundwater experts, water managers, researchers and the media.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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