The West African drought has now been lasting for more than 30 years. It has tragic consequences in the Sahel countries, such as desertification. This drought, which is notably characterized by a decrease of rainfall, global surface-water flows and by a change in the rainy season characteristics, contributes to reduce the water availability in the Niger River Basin. This climate shift must be born in mind if one wants to understand the present hydrology and water uses in the basin.

This module is about water resources, their complex relationship with the environment and the economy and the growing problem of water scarcity and the various options that exist to deal with this problem. The module examines how water is allocated between various competing demands and explores the role that water plays in food security, public health, people’s livelihoods and other aspects of social and economic development.

These guidelines are based on the IWRM Demonstration Projects in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, implemented by the SADC Regional Water Sector Programme supported by Danida, and synthesized by Barbara van Koppen. It provides a practical step-by-step guide on how to apply community-driven water resource management for improved livelihoods and sustainable water systems for multiple uses. The guideline is aimed at implementers of community water development projects, in particular the local government.