Developing methods for vulnerability assessment in MENA countries

Population growth, economic development and climate change put increasing pressure on the water resources of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries. Against this backdrop, the Arab Ministerial Water Council (AMWC) of the League of Arab States (LAS) launched the regional “Initiative on Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources and Socio-Economic Vulnerability of the Arab Region”. The regional initiative is dedicated to providing the essential knowledge and tools for planning successful adaptation measures.

The GIZ supports the efforts of the regional initiative with the programme “Adaptation to climate change in the water sector in the MENA region“ (ACCWM) which aims at strengthening the capacities of regional and national water institutions. Within the framework of the programme, adelphi is tasked with the development of a methodology for an integrated vulnerability assessment in the water sector. Furthermore, a GIS-based mapping tool will be developed which allows water institutions and regulating bodies in the region to identify potential hot spots. For both products, adelphi will prepare manuals and provide trainings for staff members from MENA water ministries and other relevant institutions.

For this project, adelphi is partnering with a regional expert on Environmental Impact Assessments as well as the “Laboratory for Remote Sensing (LRS)” at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW).