IWMI Flagship Publications

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/158239

IWMI Research reports and Working papers series

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 390

Strengthening anticipatory action with the Early Warning, Early Action and Early Finance (AWARE) Platform: a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) lens for inclusive resilience
(Working Paper, 2025-08-20) Ariyabandu, Madhavi Malalgoda; Amarnath, Giriraj; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Alahacoon, Niranga; Kotuwegoda, S.
Anticipatory action (AA) is an emerging approach in disaster management that aims to reduce the humanitarian impacts of potential disasters through proactive and integrated measures. The AWARE platform, a component of the CGIAR initiative on Climate Resilience ('ClimBeR') and CGIAR Climate Action Program, facilitates the coordination of AA by connecting risk and vulnerability information, early warning systems, and proactive measures for mitigating disaster impacts. However, the effectiveness and equity of AA depend on reaching the most vulnerable groups in at-risk communities, which requires understanding and addressing their unique vulnerabilities and capacities. The integration of gender and social inclusion (GESI) in AA planning and execution is critical for maximizing the effectiveness and equity of interventions. The GESI strategy consists of two main elements: (i) inclusive participation and equitable access, and (ii) addressing vulnerabilities while strengthening the capacities of diverse community groups to manage disaster risk. Comprehensive social and gender analysis constitutes the basis for the strategic and effective planning and implementation of AA. This analysis informs the development of criteria, facilitates engagement with diverse community groups, and aids in the identification of suitable interventions. The AWARE platform supports risk governance, a key requisite for GESI, and empowers vulnerable groups by engaging in risk assessment, planning, and execution. Pre-arranging finances informed by context-specific social and gender analysis supports resource mobilization and allocation for inclusive programming and delivery. The guiding principles assigned to each building block of AA strives to navigate challenges and seize opportunities for GESI integration. By embedding the principles of inclusion and equity, the AWARE platform aims to ensure AA interventions are transformative and adhere to the principle of ‘Leave No One Behind.’
Enhancing drought resilience: evaluating the livelihood outcomes of a solar-powered water system in Hanzila Village, Southern Zambia
(Report, 2025-08-19) Mweemba, Carol; Amarnath, Giriraj; van Koppen, Barbara
Increasingly severe and frequent droughts significantly affect livelihoods, agriculture, and water security in Zambia, particularly in the Southern Province. In response, the ACTION Grant Program collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Monze Town Council to implement a locally led initiative to build resilience against droughts in the Hanzila community of Monze district. The project emphasized community participation, from inception until completion, to create locally tailored and sustainable solutions. This led to the installation of a multi-purpose solar-powered borehole in September 2023, providing water for drinking and domestic use, irrigation, and livestock through ten strategically located taps. In July 2024 an evaluation was initiated to assess the extent to which the project had met its developmental objectives of sustainably increasing the community’s resilience to droughts. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the assessment revealed significant livelihood improvements. Reliance on unclean sources, such as scoop holes and open streams, was eliminated, with no household accessing water for drinking or domestic purposes from these sources. Households also reported reduced distances to access water and no longer spent time queuing. Furthermore, the proportion of households engaging in gardening activities increased from 23% to 69%, thereby enhancing food security, nutrition, and income. Additionally, 28% of cattle owners gained reliable access to water for livestock during the dry season, replacing the long trips they made to open streams. When asked about remaining hardships, households furthest from the taps still faced accessibility challenges. Where wealthier households could finance the extension of supply lines to their homesteads, poorer households could not. Further, irrigators still missed in-field irrigation tools. The study recommends scaling up similar locally led initiatives and technically supported models to ensure sustainable water security and climate adaptation for other drought-prone communities in Zambia.
Gender in water and sanitation provision and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Ghana
(Working Paper, 2025-08-13) Mapedza, Everisto; Adewale, D.; Seyram, R.; Asare, G.; Cofie, Olufunke; Nikiema, J.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie A.; Njenga, M.; Mendum, R.
The study "Gender in Water and Sanitation Provision and Responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic in Rural Ghana" delivers a compelling analysis of the critical intersection between gender, water access, sanitation, and the far-reaching impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Ga South District of Greater Accra, Ghana. It underscores the urgent need to address gender disparities, revealing how the pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in water and sanitation services. Through a robust collection of data from questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, the research illuminates the distinct experiences of women and men within the context of water access and hygiene. The findings highlight the pandemic's differential effects, including a surge in domestic violence and an alarming rise in teenage pregnancies, underscoring the vulnerability of certain demographic groups. This study calls for immediate and targeted interventions to transform water and sanitation services, emphasizing gender-sensitive strategies that can effectively address the unique challenges faced by diverse communities. By aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators on water stress and availability, this working paper provides actionable insights for policymakers, advocating for comprehensive approaches that prioritize equity and resilience in rural settings. This research serves as a vital catalyst for change and a deeper understanding of the interplay between gender and water management in crisis contexts such as that induced by Covid-19.
Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
(Report, 2025-07-02) Taron, Avinandan; Sathiskumar, Abinaya; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Singha, R.; Dejen, Z. A.; Chipatecua, G. P.; Bastidas, R. R.
Livestock waste poses significant environmental and public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly through water pollution and the spread of infectious diseases. Nutrient-rich runoff from this waste contributes to eutrophication, while pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella contaminate surface waters, posing serious risks to human and animal health. Yet, this waste stream also presents opportunities for circular bioeconomy solutions. When converted into biogas, organic fertilizer, or aquaculture feed, livestock waste can help mitigate environmental harm, generate energy, enhance soil health, and support rural livelihoods. This report synthesizes findings from 135 global cases and further presents an in-depth analysis of 26 livestock waste recovery initiatives to highlight diverse models and regional strategies. The available data show that in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, biodigestion is primarily used for household or commercial energy and revenue generation. South and Southeast Asian countries, meanwhile, focus on producing compost, aquaculture feed, and vermicompost. Government support, including subsidies, incentives, and technical assistance, often underpins these efforts, sometimes in collaboration with the private sector. Three broad business models emerge: (i) energy and biofertilizer recovery, (ii) soil nutrient recovery, and (iii) food nutrient recovery for aquaculture. Government-led community initiatives tend to exhibit higher economic feasibility, while private-sector models tend to scale better commercially. With average payback periods of five to six years and cost-benefit ratios ranging from 1 to 2, these models offer scalable solutions—when backed by enabling policies, institutional coordination, and localized feasibility assessments—to promote sustainable rural development and address critical environmental risks.
Creating an enabling environment for agricultural innovation in emerging markets
(Report, 2025-04-10) Ires, Idil
Market is the structure for the development and delivery of innovations that are able to address environmental, societal, and economic challenges. The lack of enabling conditions for market development has resulted in low investment levels and economic stagnation, impacting livelihoods in Africa. Although there have been efforts to implement market-driven reforms, challenges such as inadequate policies, weak legal frameworks, transparency issues and bureaucratic inefficiencies pose significant risks for public and private investments and for their potential to reach the target beneficiaries. This situation also discourages development partners and businesses from investing in the region.Technical assistance is crucial to improve the investment climate. This paper presents a framework to help governments create a more conducive environment for agricultural market development and the private sector to navigate through the existing challenges. Traditional technical assistance practices have faced criticism for adopting a one-size-fits-all approach that overlooks local contexts. Recently, however, there has been a shift towards more context-based and adaptive assistance, which informs this framework. This framework emphasizes key elements that contribute to an enabling environment, including institutions, such as policies, regulations, and legal frameworks, as well as clear market and regulatory information that help reduce transaction costs. The framework is theoretically based on new institutional economics and political economy approaches. It focuses on assistance in three areas with three categories of delivery partners: policy support to governments, institutional capacity strengthening (especially of National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems) and (agri)business acceleration support to small- and medium-scale enterprises. Through such assistance, this framework seeks to help create an enabling environment for the delivery of innovations that offer solutions to emerging climate, societal and economic crises. These solutions, especially those developed and scaled by the private sector, are targeted toward recipients such as farmers (including women and the youth), marginalized groups, displaced communities, refugees and migrants. The framework utilizes value chain and market development as the primary delivery structures. This framework has guided several recent enabling environment assistance practices under CGIAR’s International Water Management Institute (IWMI). This paper explores these practices and positions CGIAR as a strong technical assistance partner. While this framework offers a systematic approach to analyzing the enabling environment, the technical assistance driven by this framework promotes collaboration and co-creation. It actively engages governments, national research and extension offices, farmers and other stakeholders in influencing policies and business transaction advisories that directly benefit them. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen their capacities to diagnose and overcome enabling environment challenges as they arise. By helping to create an enabling environment for the private sector—especially small- and medium-scale enterprises that innovate and scale—and derisking the investment climate, this framework seeks to strengthen agrifood market systems to foster food security and alleviate poverty.
From waste to value: key insights and lessons learned from biogas initiatives in the Global South
(Report, 2025-04-02) Somorin, Tosin; Bodach, Susanne; Tripathi, Mansi
Biogas technology offers a promising pathway for circular bioeconomy transitions in the Global South by turning organic waste into clean energy and nutrient-rich byproducts. Through anaerobic digestion, this approach supports climate mitigation, reduces environmental pollution, and enhances energy access and rural livelihoods. However, large-scale implementation remains limited due to complex barriers spanning political, financial, social, and technical dimensions. Drawing on case studies from Asia and Africa, this report identifies key drivers of successful biogas programs—including strong policy support, financing mechanisms, market development, and community engagement—while underscoring challenges such as fragmented governance, high upfront costs, and low public acceptance. Overcoming these requires integrated strategies that promote enabling environments, capacity building, standardization, and investment readiness. Scaling biogas technologies in low- and middle-income countries can catalyze sustainable development by aligning climate action with inclusive waste management and renewable energy.
Extended Project on Farmer Managed Irrigated Agriculture Under The National Drainage Program (NDP): Water Distribution Equity in Sindh Province, Pakistan
(Working Paper, 2000-01-01) Murray-Rust, Hammond; Lashari, Bakhshal K.; Memon, Yameen
The concept of equity of water distribution is widely used in assessment of irrigation water management performance; but in reality there is considerable confusion between the concepts of equity and equality. This research forms part of a larger study of Farmer Managed Irrigation in Sind Province.
Financing the circular bioeconomy: a win-win for climate mitigation and adaptation
(Report, 2024-12-30) Bodach, Susanne; Somorin, Tosin; Drechsel, Pay; Taron, Avinandan
Climate change and resource scarcity pose critical global challenges that demand innovative solutions. Circular bioeconomy provides a transformative framework for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing climate adaptation. By applying circular principles, biowaste and wastewater are converted into valuable resources, reducing emissions across sectors such as agriculture and energy, while promoting sustainable practices such as nutrient recovery, biogas generation and safe wastewater reuse. These approaches address water scarcity, reduce reliance on fossil-based inputs, and improve environmental resilience. Financing mechanisms such as international climate funds, carbon credits and climate bonds are pivotal in scaling circular bioeconomy solutions, while enabling policies and capacity building empower stakeholders to drive implementation. The adoption of circular bioeconomy offers a path toward sustainable development, fostering a resilient and resource-efficient future.
Assessing the investment climate to promote a circular bioeconomy: a comparison of 15 countries in the Global South
(Report, 2024-08-29) Taron, Avinandan; Sathiskumar, Abinaya; Malviya, T.; Bodach, Susanne; Muthuswamy, S.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie
Transitioning towards a circular economy requires investments in new businesses and for this, a supportive environment and business models that can attract private entities are needed. Operating in countries where the enabling factors are minimal or weak proves extremely challenging for private enterprises. The present cross-country study tried to assess the investment climate for promoting a circular bioeconomy, i.e., businesses or public-private partnerships based on organic (municipal) waste. The main indicators used for the assessment are existing regulatory frameworks; business climate and associated procedures; governance in provision of infrastructure; incentives; access to finance; and entrepreneurial ecosystems. While most of the countries analyzed indicated evidence of regulations on waste management and policies related to promoting circularity, the divide is mainly on aspects related to business environments, access to finance and governance. The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index and Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) indicate that Southeast Asian and Latin American countries are better positioned than most other Asian and African countries. National economies are challenged by these barriers that need to be addressed to foster the widespread adoption of a more circular bioeconomy.
A framework for an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ)
(Working Paper, 2024-05-28) Mukuyu, Patience; Dickens, Chris; Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Tijani, M.; Chapman, D. V.; Warner, S.
The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) Secretariat committed to design and implement an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) in its Strategic Operational Plan (2020-2024) considering the guiding frameworks is uses such as the Africa Water Vision 2025, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. AMCOW reached out to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to support the development of such a program. AWaQ builds on the rich experiences and lessons learned from past and ongoing regional and subregional water quality initiatives across Africa by different players, including African Union institutions, and the wider members of the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA), as well as the AMCOW African Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO). The five phases of developing an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) are explained in the following papers: 1. State of Water Quality Monitoring and Pollution Control in Africa (phase 1-2) 2. Innovations in Water Quality Monitoring and Management in Africa (phase 3-4) 3. A Framework for an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) (phase 5) 4. Country Water Quality Profiles This paper is the third in the above list and is the culmination of the development of AWaQ. It provides a foundational structure for developing a framework for AWaQ and is guided by the three principles of state custodianship, co-development, and coordination and collaboration. It has been proposed that AMCOW Member States will retain their sovereignty and become custodians of the data and information generated as part of AWaQ, and will be closely involved in the development of program activities. Further, AWaQ entails coordination and collaboration between regional, global and transboundary institutions and initiatives involved in water quality monitoring, assessment and management. The framework for AWaQ rests on the following four core components which were developed based on stakeholder consultations and literature studies: 1. Governance 2. Water quality monitoring 3. Data management 4. Capacity building AWaQ will aim to deliver within each of these core components. The governance component of AWaQ will build on already existing country governance structures and regulatory provisions through management approaches such as Integrated Water Resources Management and Catchment-based Water Management, with the aim of achieving the goal of improved water quality. The water quality monitoring component will aim to encourage countries to collect basic water quality data to support regional and global indicators. The data management component will make use of decentralized national platforms, where countries submit only final national assessments to AMCOW for reporting and planning while retaining the raw data on their own databases. Lastly, the capacity building component would be coordinated through AMCOW to deliver standardized and tailor-made training to Member States with support from global donors. Development of this framework needs to be followed by a strategic implementation plan that would provide a road map for implementing AWaQ. The strategic implementation plan would involve a series of steps, including stakeholder mapping, clarified roles and responsibilities, budgets, key indicators and associated monitoring programs, and overall coordination and reporting mechanisms. Specific activities under each core component of the framework need to be designed to meet the objectives of AWaQ. This paper only goes as far as providing the overall framework for AWaQ.
Innovations in water quality monitoring and management in Africa: towards developing an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ)
(Working Paper, 2024-05-28) Mukuyu, Patience; Warner, S.; Chapman, D. V.; Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Dickens, Chris; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) Secretariat committed to design and implement an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) in its Strategic Operational Plan (2020-2024) considering the guiding frameworks it uses such as the Africa Water Vision 2025, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. AMCOW reached out to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to support the development of such a program. AWaQ builds on the rich experiences and lessons learned from past and ongoing regional and subregional water quality initiatives across Africa by different players, including African Union institutions, and the wider members of the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA), as well as the AMCOW African Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO). The five phases of developing an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) are explained in the following papers: 1. State of Water Quality Monitoring and Pollution Control in Africa (phase 1-2) 2. Innovations in Water Quality Monitoring and Management in Africa (phase 3-4) 3. A Framework for an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) (phase 5) 4. Country Water Quality Profiles This paper is the second in the above list and documents the greatest innovations in water quality monitoring and management in Africa, and proposes interventions to strengthen Africa’s current water quality monitoring and management efforts. Innovations related to monitoring program design, analytical techniques and instruments, deployment of instrumentation and approaches to water quality monitoring are presented together with their applicability and suitability for implementation in Africa. Similarly, water quality management interventions — policy and regulatory mechanisms, catchment-based management, data management and sharing, wastewater reuse and nature-based solutions, among others — are examined. The most suitable interventions are proposed for African contexts using criteria such as affordability, scalability and flexibility. Key findings of this paper highlight the following: 1. There are numerous innovations within water quality monitoring and management. However, not all of them may be suitable for implementation in resource-constrained environments characteristic of many parts of Africa. For example, statistical analysis and modelling may require large amounts of existing monitoring data currently unavailable in most African countries. Nonetheless, other interventions such as the priority monitoring approach can be beneficial in optimizing resource utilization. Similarly, technological interventions such as multi-parameter sensors for basic water quality variables are now widely available and affordable in the provision of in situ results and lessening the need for laboratory analysis. 2. Available and existing traditional methods of water quality monitoring and management offer a good starting point to further strengthen and streamline efforts for increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Currently available laboratory facilities may benefit from instrumentation upgrades and continuous staff training. 3. There is scope for community and citizen engagement in the various processes of water resources monitoring and management. There is evidence that this enables success where governments do not have the monitoring capacity or adequate resources.
State of water quality monitoring and pollution control in Africa: towards developing an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ)
(Working Paper, 2024-05-27) Mukuyu, Patience; Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Tijani, M.; Nikiema, Josiane; Dickens, Chris; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Chapman, D. V.; Warner, S.
The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) Secretariat committed to design and implement an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) in its Strategic Operational Plan (2020-2024) considering the guiding frameworks it uses such as the Africa Water Vision 2025, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. AMCOW reached out to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to support the development of such a program. AWaQ builds on the rich experiences and lessons learned from past and ongoing regional and subregional water quality initiatives across Africa by different players, including African Union institutions, and the wider members of the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA), as well as the AMCOW African Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO). The five phases of developing an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) are explained in the following papers: 1. State of Water Quality Monitoring and Pollution Control in Africa (phase 1-2) 2. Innovations in Water Quality Monitoring and Management in Africa (phase 3-4) 3. A Framework for an African Water Quality Program (AWaQ) (phase 5) 4. Country Water Quality Profiles This paper is the first from the above list and is a baseline assessment of the status of water quality monitoring and pollution control in Africa, including the capacities available across countries in the region. This assessment considers various past and ongoing initiatives related to water quality monitoring and management, capacity development, and water pollution control and impact mitigation. Key findings of this paper highlight the following: 1. There is an encouraging availability of national water testing laboratory facilities across African countries. Nonetheless, there are weaknesses that require attention to ensure effectiveness and sustainability. 2. Regular and ongoing training is needed to keep up with laboratory testing methodologies. However, we observed a low trend in regular training, which does not augur well for keeping abreast of the best practices in water quality monitoring. In the context of emerging pollutants, training needs to be more regular than is currently experienced. 3. Water quality monitoring and management capacities are patchy. Capacities related to staff training, laboratory infrastructure and monitoring program activities need strengthening. 4. Pollution control mechanisms are facing challenges. Regulatory mechanisms and wastewater treatment technologies—the most widely deployed pollution control solutions—may benefit from more concerted investment, and the political will and financing to boost their effectiveness.
Investment and cultivation strategies for women and youth inclusion: cases from on-farm, off-farm and non-farm activities in Ethiopia and Mali
(Working Paper, 2024-05-08) Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Diallo, A.; Minh, Thai Thi
Africa's agriculture sector is vital for food security, employment, and economic growth. Women and young people, who contribute to innovation, diversification, and income, face limited opportunities in the sector due to social and economic power imbalances. This disparity wastes resources and impedes agricultural value chain development (VCD). Inclusive VCD aims to empower women, men and youth from diverse social groups and strengthen the agriculture sector. However, the literature on inclusive VCD in Africa is limited due to urban biases, and the lack of a framework to address gender inequality and poverty. This study explores how livelihood assets, strategies for accessing the assets, and enabling and discouraging factors in the value chain shapes the inclusion of women and youth in on-farm, off-farm and non-farm activities. It is based on the Safeguarding Sahelian Wetlands for Food Security (SaWeL) program that aims to make the market work for the poor through inclusive VCD in the Ziway-Shalla Sub-basin of Ethiopia, and Wegnia and Sourou basins in Mali. A qualitative dataset of 32 focus group discussions, 48 key informant interviews and 40 in-depth interviews were analyzed. We identified investment and cultivation inclusion strategies that demonstrates how women and youth from diverse social groups actualize business opportunities, overcome challenges and create new opportunities for inclusion. Investment strategies involve women and youth from better-off households with good access to natural, social, political and physical capital for capital-intensive roles. On the other hand, cultivation strategies involve women and youth from resource-poor households who can harness natural, social and political capital to participate in off-farm and non-farm activities. Our results show that women and youth who adopt either one of the strategies are encouraged by good support from social networks, cooperatives, Government Organizations, Nongovernmental Organizations and private sector actors. However, access to productive resources and services for women and youth adopting any strategies is hampered by gender and intergenerational norms, poverty and insufficient institutional capacity. We argue that it is essential to understand how social disparities and local environments interact to inform the design and implementation of inclusive value chains. Additionally, inclusive value chains necessitate building capacities of institutions at different scales.
Towards the harmonization of global environmental flow estimates: comparing the Global Environmental Flow Information System (GEFIS) with country data
(Report, 2024-02-07) Eriyagama, Nishadi; Messager, M. L.; Dickens, Chris; Tharme, R.; Stassen, R.
The source of data used to estimate the e-flow requirement in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 6.4.2 (level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources) is the Global Environmental Flow Information System (GEFIS), an online tool produced and managed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). In addition to the GEFIS estimate, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as the custodians of the SDG indicator, encourages countries to put forward their locally determined e-flow estimates, especially if it differs from the GEFIS estimate. To date, however, only a few countries have taken up this opportunity. The aim of this report is to compare e-flows estimated by GEFIS with independent e-flow assessments performed at the local level to gauge the level of agreement between the two sets of estimates. We compared e-flow estimates from GEFIS to local e-flow estimates at 533 river sites.
Anticipatory action in communities hosting refugees and internally displaced persons: an assessment of current approaches
(Working Paper, 2023-12-31) Schindler, Alexandra; Singh, Radhika; Adam-Bradford, A.; Laauwen, M.; Ruckstuhl, Sandra
This paper is a global literature review of anticipatory action approaches in communities hosting forcibly displaced persons. Anticipatory action, or a set of actions taken to prevent or mitigate a potential disaster before acute impacts are felt, is an essential strategy to reduce the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. However, due to the complexity and diversity of host community environments, it has proven challenging to incorporate this approach into these contexts. This paper provides a review of the available data on water- and climate-related vulnerabilities in host communities to inform and strengthen anticipatory action approaches and climate adaptation initiatives. It also supports future research for the development of a replicable and scalable mixed-methods model called the Integrated Host Community Vulnerability Framework (IHCVF). This paper starts with a background and technical overview of anticipatory action as it is currently implemented by humanitarian and development organizations. This overview highlights the lack of research on how anticipatory action can take into account the specific vulnerabilities of host communities. The paper then provides a detailed definition of host communities, a term the authors use to refer to the context, institutions and structures within which forcibly displaced persons live, and encompasses both the hosts and the displaced. Finally, it reviews the early stages of development of the IHCVF, including operational needs, specific vulnerabilities to consider, and current gaps in the field that need to be covered with future research. Next, the paper analyzes the types of water- and climate-related vulnerabilities in host communities, and the anticipatory action approaches that organizations are undertaking in those communities, using case studies from Bangladesh, Nigeria and Sahel. The data from these case studies show how existing host community vulnerabilities and food, land and water-related stresses can compound disasters for hosts and forcibly displaced people when impacted by extreme weather events, conflict, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity. Finally, this paper ends with a few conclusions about gaps in the data, including a lack of anticipatory action strategies that prioritize long-term outcomes such as resilience building and adaptation, and the need for guidance on how to better implement anticipatory action and forecast-based humanitarian action in conflict situations. It recommends further research on water- and climate-related vulnerabilities in communities hosting forcibly displaced people to provide practical guidance to inform future programming.
Digital innovation in citizen science to enhance water quality monitoring in developing countries
(Working Paper, 2023-12-31) Pattinson, N. B.; Taylor, J.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Graham, P. M.
Freshwater systems are disproportionately adversely affected by the ongoing, global environmental crisis. The effective and efficient water resource conservation and management necessary to mitigate the crisis requires monitoring data, especially on water quality. This is recognized by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, particularly indicator 6.3.2., which requires all UN member states to measure and report the ‘proportion of water bodies with good ambient water quality’. However, gathering sufficient data on water quality is reliant on data collection at spatial and temporal scales that are generally outside the capacity of institutions using conventional methods. Digital technologies, such as wireless sensor networks and remote sensing, have come to the fore as promising avenues to increase the scope of data collection and reporting. Citizen science (which goes by many names, e.g., participatory science or community-based monitoring) has also been earmarked as a powerful mechanism to improve monitoring. However, both avenues have drawbacks and limitations. The synergy between the strengths of modern technologies and citizen science presents an opportunity to use the best features of each to mitigate the shortcomings of the other. This paper briefly synthesizes recent research illustrating how smartphones, sometimes in conjunction with other sensors, present a nexus point method for citizen scientists to engage with and use sophisticated modern technology for water quality monitoring. This paper also presents a brief, non-exhaustive research synthesis of some examples of current technological upgrades or innovations regarding smartphones in citizen science water quality monitoring in developing countries and how these can assist in objective, comprehensive, and improved data collection, management and reporting. While digital innovations are being rapidly developed worldwide, there remains a paucity of scientific and socioeconomic validation of their suitability and usefulness within citizen science. This perhaps contributes to the fact that the uptake and upscaling of smartphone-assisted citizen science continues to underperform compared to its potential within water resource management and SDG reporting. Ultimately, we recommend that more rigorous scientific research efforts be dedicated to exploring the suitability of digital innovations in citizen science in the context of developing countries and SDG reporting.
Sewage sludge: a review of business models for resource recovery and reuse
(Report, 2023-12-15) Taron, Avinandan; Singh, S.; Drechsel, Pay; Ravishankar, C.; Ulrich, Andreas
In many low- and middle-income countries, sewage sludge generated from wastewater treatment systems has potential environmental and health hazards. To tackle this challenge, there is a need for innovative options given the increasing concerns and policies restricting sewage sludge dumping in landfills and elsewhere, and a growing awareness about the resource value of sludge within a circular economy. In developed countries, water utilities, municipalities and the private sector are increasingly engaged in utilizing and innovating modern resource recovery technologies to capture biosolids, nutrients or energy from sewage sludge and reducing disposal. This study reviews existing approaches and business models for resource recovery and moves the discussion beyond technical feasibility. Case studies were analyzed in support of four main sets of business models depending on the targeted resource: (i) organic fertilizers, (ii) crop nutrients, (iii) energy, and (iv) organic fertilizers and nutrients along with energy. The extraction of organic fertilizers through dewatering, thickening, stabilization or long-term storage drives the first set of models followed by technological advances in phosphorus recovery. The business models on energy similarly start from conventional energy recovery processes (anaerobic digestion) and move toward incineration. The discussion covers recent advances in gasification and pyrolysis. Transforming sewage sludge into biochar, for example, can support soil fertility and carbon sequestration. The final set covers integrative approaches supporting soil fertility and energy needs. The critical step for emerging economies is to develop a wastewater management strategy and link it to a circular economy framework without having a negative impact on environmental and human health. While technologies and business models generally have a favorable policy environment, there is a lack of a regulatory framework that allows the marketing, use and export of recovered (waste-derived) resources for certain applications. For example, there needs to be an increase in industry acceptance of phosphorus recovered from sewage sludge to penetrate agricultural markets despite the currently still cheaper phosphate rock, which is a finite resource.
Afghanistan Drought Early Warning Decision Support (AF-DEWS) Tool
(Report, 2023-12-08) Amarnath, Giriraj; Ghosh, Surajit; Alahacoon, Niranga
This report summarizes the development of the Afghanistan Drought Early Warning Decision Support (AF-DEWS) Tool, a cloud-based online platform with near real-time information on drought conditions, to provide decision-makers with maps and data to enable further analysis. The report provides an overview of how the AF-DEWS Tool was developed and how it can be used to systematically monitor, detect and forecast drought conditions in Afghanistan. The tool provides a wide range of indicators/indices to assess the severity of meteorological (rainfall anomaly, standardized precipitation index), hydrological (snow cover index, streamflow drought index, surface water supply index), and agricultural (vegetation health index, integrated drought severity index) droughts. The authors evaluated historical drought events, specifically the widespread drought event of 2018, to identify the precise impact of drought that has affected more than 13 million people across 22 of the 34 provinces in the severe to extreme drought category. Key drought indices were selected to undertake a detailed evaluation of the major drought events and their impacts on crop production. Satellite-derived (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer [MODIS]) Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) data and observed wheat production data provided by the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) were used. This demonstrates the capabilities of the AF-DEWS Tool in supporting drought early warning and informing preparedness and risk reduction measures.
Assessment of farmers’ willingness to pay for bundled climate insurance solutions in Sri Lanka
(Report, 2023-12-07) Aheeyar, Mohamed M.M.; Amarasinghe, Upali A.; Amarnath, Giriraj; Alahacoon, Niranga; Prasad, S.; Dissanayake, A.
With the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, several social protection and livelihood resilience tools have been tested to reduce agricultural risks. The findings of this study are based on the initial bundled climate insurance solutions pilot conducted in five districts in Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Monaragala, Kurunegala and Ampara) in 2021 with the support of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The project intervention was designed to reduce production risks and enhance agricultural resilience through the roll-out of an index insurance product bundled with hybrid seeds and mobile-based weather and agronomic advisories. The research assessed farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for weather index insurance (WII) solutions with bundled choices as a risk transfer tool with due consideration to the diversity and heterogeneity of the farming population. The report informs the scaling opportunities of bundled climate insurance choices, including product design and implementation among smallholder farmers and reduction of production risks in designing and implementing WII products. The study findings confirm the majority of farmers' perceptions of high climate risk, but the degree of risk is variable between areas and different segments of people. Farmers’ age, gender, farming experience, levels of education, land size operated, and household income form the major factors characterizing the diversity and risk exposures. Attention to gender and social equity issues is important in the design and delivery of insurance products so that the benefits of the interventions reach most of the farming population; this can ensure achievement of the larger development objectives of equity and fairness to disadvantaged people including women. Farmers are experiencing high or very high levels of variability in crop yield, input prices and output prices. However, the differences in willingness to experiment with innovations to minimize the risks and adopt risk-taking approaches to minimize production risks and strengthen livelihood resilience indicate the requirement for carefully designed insurance products. Awareness creation is a prerequisite for this intervention to be a sustainable one. About 80% of farmers are willing to enroll in crop insurance programs, but a major inhibiting factor is the lack of trust in insurers. The amount that farmers are willing to pay as an insurance premium is in the range of 1-2% of the sum insured for the majority of farmers. Bundling insurance with farm support services could be the primary strategy for transitioning insurance programs to be a financially viable and sustainable adaptation strategy, and for upscaling these programs.
Institutional gender mainstreaming in small-scale irrigation: lessons from Ethiopia
(Report, 2023-12-07) Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Minh, Thai Thi; Schmitter, Petra
Achieving gender equality in irrigation can result in greater production, income, and job opportunities for both men and women smallholder farmers from diverse social groups, while building climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, national irrigation agencies, donors, and researchers have been assisting project implementers to mainstream gender issues into the planning and implementation of irrigation programs. However, although efforts to close gender gaps in irrigation have been increasing, little is known about how interactions among institutions at different scales may determine the success of gender-mainstreaming strategies. This study presents a qualitative analysis of how the interaction of institutions at multiple levels can shape the success of gender-mainstreaming strategies. Specifically, the study analyzed how institutions' rules, roles, and capacities at state, market, community, and household levels shaped strategies in Ethiopia's nine small-scale and micro irrigation development projects. The findings show that ‘rule-based’ strategies adopted by small, scheme-based irrigation projects emphasize policies and rules for equal rights and opportunities for equal participation in individuals' and institutions' decision-making and capacity development. ‘Role-based’ strategies adopted by projects promoting small-scale and micro irrigation technologies focus on challenging social norms to address the imbalance of power and workloads by developing the capacity of all stakeholders. Both strategies focus on women and use participatory approaches to ensure gender equality. Negative stereotypes about women from families, communities, and the private sector often make it difficult for gender mainstreaming to succeed. Furthermore, institutional biases and limited capacities reproduce gender inequality by reinforcing stereotypical gender norms. Transformative gender mainstreaming strategies are critical to holistic approaches that facilitate change at different scales through broad-based partnerships between actors. It calls for 1) enacting policy, creating an institutional environment, and developing governance mechanisms for mainstreaming gender; 2) enhancing the accountability system and adoption of gender-transformative approaches to involve more women farmers in designing, planning, and management; 3) creating a supportive institutional environment at market, community and household level that helps women farmers invest in irrigation; and 4) applying an intersectional lens in gender analysis and mainstreaming.

Browse

Recent Submissions