SI-Implications of the Tigray War on the Sustainability of the Water Supply and Hydro-Systems: An Insight for Reconstruction and Development

ET2023SIN386A103 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2025 Mekelle University (Ethiopia) is one of the main partners from the South, which has established strong collaboration with Flemish Universities (HEI) (e.g. Ghent University). The more than two decades of collaboration have registered impressive success stories in academics (research and teaching), development and capacity building with a long-term impact on the overall livelihoods of the people. These success stories were drastically demolished and disrupted by the two-years-long Tigray war. The war in Tigray has damaged the human, institutional and infrastructural framework as well as the environment of the region. The water sector was one of the most damaged sectors in terms of its human, institutional and infrastructural importance. Consequently, the war resulted to severe human sufferings and disruption of the water supply and sanitation services. The widespread soil and water conservation structures have mostly been destroyed. So, the main objective of this research proposal is to systematically and scientifically investigate the human, institutional, infrastructural and environmental (water loss and pollution; deforestation and soil erosion) damages and destructions in the water sector. The research approach is designed based on field data collection, sampling, remote sensing techniques, laboratory work and interpretation. Hence, this proposal is designed to restore and sustain the previous collaboration which was disrupted during the war. It fits to the UN SDG principles, particularly the leave no one behind (LNOB) and multi-stakeholder partnership principles. It is intended to develop the capacity of individuals and institutions involved in the project and developing rehabilitation and guidelines to reduce burdens on women, children and the disabled in accessing clean and adequate water.