Leveraging Water for Peace, Wetlands, and Human Well-being on World Water and World Wetlands Day

To raise awareness to national and local stakeholders about wetlands and water resources, emphasizing their worth as limited and priceless life-giving resources, the  Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Tourism (MEFT), NamWater, UNESCO, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), African Development Bank, Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), EduVentures, Opuwo Town Council, Kunene Regional Council, and Namibia Water Sector Support Project (NWSSP), organized a joint commemoration of World Water Day and World Wetlands Day under the theme “Leveraging Water for Peace, Wetlands, and Human Well-being” in Opuwo from 12 to 14 March 2024.

Opuwo was chosen as the host town due to its vulnerability to drought and other water and wetland-related challenges. The town has a population of approximately 20,000 residents, primarily composed of the marginalized Ovahimba community. 

The event, which was commemorated over three days, successfully elevated awareness surrounding regional water-related challenges and presented actionable strategies to address these challenges through extensive community engagement. 

On day one, the regional leaderships deliberated and conducted a comprehensive overview of regional water challenges which encompassed the following key points:

• Dependency on boreholes as the primary regional water resource, with 102 out of 784 water points rendered inactive due to drying up.

• Inadequate government budget allocation for the Kunene River, failing to meet the region's water demand.

• Lack of coordination among key stakeholders, resulting in project duplication and inefficient fund utilization.
• Proliferation of waterborne diseases stemming from water scarcity and inadequate sanitation facilities. 

MAWLR Deputy Director of Water Basin Management, Ms. Ndina Nashipili, gave insights about the provisions of the Water Resources Management Act and the challenges faced in the Kunene region. She emphasized the limited groundwater potential in Kunene, which necessitates an exploration of alternative water resources. Ms. Nashipili also shared the administrative process that mandates the engagement of regional policymakers for improved water resources management and budget allocation within the region. 

On day two, a total of forty (40) learners and eight (8) teachers from eight (8) local schools participated in an educational excursion accompanied by eight (8) students from NUST. The excursion involved visits to three distinct sites: the Ruacana Waterfall and NamPower hydropower plant, the Kunene River, and the Namwater boreholes and treatment plant. During the excursion, students engaged in on-site biological experiments, received informative presentations from tour guides, conducted field observations, and prepared presentations on water resource management. These activities facilitated a deeper understanding of the significance of wetlands and water resources, enabling the students to develop a comprehensive knowledge of local water systems and the importance of their perseverance. 

On day three, the Minister of MWALR, Hon Carl-Hermann Gustav Schlettwein, and the Minister of MEFT, Hon Pohamba Shifeta, both attended the official closing day with other senior representatives.

In her opening address, Ms. Ndiyakupi Nghtuwamata, the Executive Director of MAWLR, highlighted that the town of Opuwo has faced a significant shortage of water supplies in recent years. However, she also brought forth encouraging news, stating that 98% of the pipeline infrastructure intended for water supply has been successfully installed and funding for addressing the water crisis in Kamanjab has been secured. 

Hon Pohamba Shifeta provided valuable insights into Namibia's wetland resources, highlighting the concerning trend of wetlands diminishing. Additionally, he addressed issues of wildlife and human conflicts caused by water scarcity and the degradation of wetland ecosystems. He further pointed out that wetlands and water resources are not only important for human but also for wildlife. He proposed that indigenous knowledge systems should be adapted to natural resources management for sustainable development.

In his keynote address, Hon Carl Schlettwein underscored the significance of conserving wetland and water resources for sustaining traditional lifestyles, traditional economies such as cattle farming to promote sustainable development, and preserve biodiversity. He emphasized the imperative of enhancing water resource management and fostering scientific expertise in this regard. He further highlighted the Kunene River as a prime example of a shared river, aligning with this year's theme of "leveraging water for peace." Furthermore, he emphasized the critical role of wetlands within the freshwater cycle, emphasizing their vital contribution to maintaining overall water cycle health.

Designated by the United Nations, World Wetlands Day and World Water Day are internationally recognized each year on 2 February and 22 March respectively. Wetlands, which include marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, floodplains, swamps, and shallow sea waters, are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. These ecosystems provide essential services to both humans and the environment, such as carbon absorption, flood attenuation, groundwater recharge, and water purification.

Since 2012, MAWLR has commemorated World Wetlands Day and World Water Day annually in collaboration with UNESCO and other agencies. For the year 2024, the United Nations has designated the guiding themes for both days: “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” for World Wetlands Day and “Leveraging Water for Peace” for World Water Day. Both themes are pertinent to Namibia’s environmental conditions.