1. in Magta Lahjar, Mauritania Sustainable Management of water surfaces, submitted to Kyoto Grand Prize contribution to the fight against poverty submitted to Kyoto Grand Prize Samba Harouna Thiam UNDP-CWI, Mauritania

2. Table of contents National context CWI programme Project context Climate change effects Consequences of the CC effects Niche within the KGP Projects objectives Projects activities Results achieved Divides bridged Partnership Lessons learnt Room for hope

3. National context MAGHTA LAHJAR MAGHTA LAHJAR Populations: 3 333 000 Area: 1 030 700 km Adult literacy rate in 2006 : 44,8% People below poverty line: 46,7% Coverage rate of potable water in rural areas is 49% People without access to improved water sources : 40% Only 32% of households are connected to piped water in urban area

4. Introduction to CWI programme Objectives To support poor, marginalized rural communities improve access to clean water, Adequate sanitation, in order to achieve Millennium Development Goals through strategic community based approaches

5. Context of the project area The Aftout is located in the southern part of Mauritania Sahelian and very arid zone with very high temperature at hot season. Populations: mainly black moors (dominated by former slaves) about 750 households Main activities: rain fed agriculture and animal husbandry Scarcity of potable water: most of wells dry up during dry season (March to July) Populations mainly depending on the rain fall pattern

6. Means of access to water From surfaceFrom traditional wells

7. Climate change effects observed in the area Continued decrease of rainfall pattern High prevalence of Waterborne diseases Drastic decrease of agricultural production Very high pressure on the very scarce water resources

8. Consequences Seasonal migration to bigger cities due to lack of potable water Frequent conflict between communities (farmers and herders ) high rate of waterborne diseases Children do not have access to adequate education

9. What is our niche within the Kyoto Grand Prize for Water Poverty indicators in Mauritania 46.7% below poverty line Rank HDR 137/177 Topic 2.3 – Water and Food Ending Poverty and Hunger

10. Project objectives Contribute to groundwater recharge in order to reduce rural exodus (seasonal climatic refugees) Sustainable water management for better rain fed agricultural production

11. Project activities Construction of small earth dams that contribute to recharging groundwater to limit the drying up of wells between March and July Crop farming through soil and water conservation Digging of improved and protected wells to meet hygiene standards of potable water to communities Raising public awareness on hygiene and sanitation Distribution of filters at household level to reduce waterborne diseases

12. Results achieved in relation to access to water Access to potable water throughout the year Increased food security and incomes at household level (through agricultural improvement and diversification ) Improved school attendance for children Decrease of waterborne diseases

13. Results achieved in relation to access to water Access to potable water throughout the year Increased agricultural production

14. Results achieved in relation to poverty reduction Increased agricultural production Agricultural diversification

15. Divides bridged People have access to potable water throughout the year Children have access to education Agricultural production increased and diversified Decrease of waterborne diseases

16. Project Partnership UNDP- CWI for financial resources The National NGO UNESCO EC for project implementation, monitoring and reporting Local communities provided unskilled labor during implementation and post implementation O&M Local government for technical support

17. Lessons learnt Adaptation to climate whims and variability. Low cost technologies are easily managed by local communities Community ownership is critical for the success of any community based project This production system provides in record time two types of harvest s: the fast-growing sorghum and the corn (double crop). Community organization, participation and demonstration activities are useful tools in the process of raising awareness of the risks of climate change.

18. Some lessons learnt contd Although rural communities live with the consequences/effects of climate change on a daily basis, they still perceive these changes as fate. The majority continue to believe that the reduction in their resources is a normal phenomenon and that the natural resources are immune and will endure The synergy between SGP and CWI programmes is an excellent tool for Community Based Adaptation activities

19. Leau nest pas nécessaire à la vie, leau cest la vie Thank you very much