SVG aims to enhance water resource management

The Strengthening Resilient Water Resource Management in the Eastern Caribbean project, funded by a contribution from the Government of Canada, aims to support vulnerable communities in Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The project focuses on increasing access to secure water supplies and enhancing ecosystem conservation for improved water resources management. Benarva Browne, Minister of Urban Development in Grenada, expressed the government’s commitment to the project, emphasizing its importance in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, particularly for women in agriculture and female-headed households.

The project team recently visited St Vincent and Union Island to engage with local environmental groups and assess potential sites for rainwater harvesting systems. Roseman Adams of the Union Island Environmental Alliance highlighted the community’s reliance on rainfall for drinking water and the risks posed by heat and drought. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Stephanie Ziebell, stressed the significance of water security to the Caribbean region and how the project aims to address technical, financial, and institutional barriers while promoting a holistic approach to water resources management.

Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee emphasized the importance of including community voices in the W4R initiative, noting Canada’s commitment to responding to the specific needs of different groups. She highlighted the different roles, responsibilities, and needs of women, men, boys, and girls in water management, as well as the potential of ecosystem-based approaches to enhance biodiversity and address water quality issues. Chatterjee also commended St Vincent and the Grenadines for developing a gender-responsive adaptation plan for water resource management.

The Water for Resilience project aligns with UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean’s mission to build resilient communities and reduce gender vulnerabilities in the face of crises and shocks. The project’s regional knowledge-sharing component aims to enhance water management practices and promote inclusive, innovative, and integrated approaches to water resources management. The W4R project team’s engagement with stakeholders in the three participating countries underscores the importance of collaboration and community engagement in addressing water challenges and building resilience in the Eastern Caribbean.

Overall, the inception workshop and stakeholder engagements mark the completion of the initial stages of the W4R project’s preparatory phase in the Eastern Caribbean. The project’s focus on increasing access to secure water supplies, enhancing ecosystem conservation, and fostering a holistic approach to water resources management underscores its transformative significance and potential impact on vulnerable communities in the region. By addressing the impacts of climate change, promoting gender-responsive initiatives, and incorporating ecosystem-based approaches, the W4R project aims to strengthen water security and build resilience in the Eastern Caribbean.