33
WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL
Enabling Disadvantaged Pastoralist WRUAs
Unlike upstream communities that have more access to water and are therefore better resourced, distance and geographical challenges leave downstream WRUAs disadvantaged. Partners cannot reach them and they get demoralised when they are unable to mobilise resources for activities outlined in their sub- catchment management plans. Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT) is a community development organisation that works with pastoralist communities to address major problems affecting minority and indigenous peoples. In regards to water resources, IMPACT focuses on building capacity for WRUAs to take action as key water stakeholders at the community level in the pastoralist areas of Samburu and Isiolo.
Elizabeth Nassy, Acting Deputy CEO, IMPACT
IMPACT views economic empowerment as a driver to help communities in understand the critical role that water plays in enhancing livelihoods. Embedding livelihoods projects under WRUAs is, therefore, a selling point for WRM particularly for pastoralist communities grappling with climate change. Some of the women empowerment projects that IMPACT has initiated include kitchen and sack gardens, chicken farming and beekeeping. Registration of pastoralists under community group ranches would improve their sense of ownership over land. Permanent human settlements would strengthen WRUAs and in turn make them more effective custodians of the water resource.
Due to marginalisation, literacy levels are low. This affects the capacity and awareness of pastoralist WRUAs.
IMPACT has therefore been involved in boosting the WRUAs capacity through training on leadership, financial management and awareness about their roles and responsibilities under the Water Act,” says IMPACT acting Deputy CEO, Elizabeth Nassy.
Ewaso Ng’iro River
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online