The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) in conjunction with the Erongo Regional Governor Nevile Andre Itope and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has handed over Reverse Osmosis Units installed at the three community water points, namely Farm Vrede, Goiegeluk Pos and Santamab Pos in the Erongo region.
These technologically advanced facilities will contribute massively to improving community livelihoods of the communities at these three communal farms.
The EIF funded the pilot project to the tune of N$ 1 million from its own resources to finance these facilities aimed at softening the water at the three community water points and make it suitable for human consumption and irrigation purposes.
“Access to clean water is not only a basic need of mankind, but a necessity to sustain all forms of life in the world. It is often quite easily forgotten how completely we depend on it. Human survival is dependent on water. Water scarcity and lack of access to portable water by the poor are among the main obstacles to full enjoyment of the right to water.
“Our daily lives revolve around the necessity of water. From the moment we wake up to the end of chores each day, we do many things in which water plays a crucial role such as drinking, washing, and cleaning. In fact, comfortable and hygienic life comes with water. To this end, I am confident that the new water softening systems (mini desalination plants) that we are handing over to the communities here today will ensure not only easy access to water but an efficient and a regular water supply system for the whole community,” Andre said at the handover.
He went on to say that as part of efforts to ensure poverty eradication, the Namibian Government recognizes climate change as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, as Namibia is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects and impacts of climate change.
Climate change poses serious and significant threats to water resources and undermines the livelihoods of most of poor rural communities, including those in our region and the entire Namibian population.
“Today’s event signifies our response as government and development partners towards helping our communities adapt to the dire impacts of climate change. The three mini desalination plants are a result of concerted effort in addressing climate change at the local level. These facilities are expected to impact many beneficiaries, including small-scale farmers in the area.
“In the process, they will improve sanitation, hygiene and serve as a platform for rural economic emancipation to many households in the Daures Constituency. For the reasons outlined above, you will agree with me that these facilities will contribute to poverty eradication in the constituency through increasing the resilience of our vulnerable rural communities to the impacts of climate change,” further said Andre.
Also speaking at the event, EIF CEO, Benedict Libanda said that the EIF initiated in-depth discussions with the Erongo Regional Council (ERC) in mid-2020, where the ERC expressed a keen interest in collaborating with EIF in addressing the water quality problem in this area with the participation of the decentralized function of Rural Water Supply.
In principle, a consensus was reached amongst the parties that EIF, subject to necessary approvals, investigates the possibility of funding low- cost technologies to soften the water in the area and make it fit for human consumption and irrigation purposes. This would also allow communities in the area to diversify their livelihoods by growing vegetables in the backyard gardens.
“In 2021, the EIF board approved an amount of N$1 million, from EIF grants budget, to pilot this community-based water-softening initiative in partnership with Erongo Regional Council. This intervention highlights the EIF’s commitment towards addressing environmental and social issues in the remote areas of Namibia. It further highlights our commitment towards innovative approaches to enhance economic development of the country.
“As a government-owned Fund, we do all we can to support the transition to a more sustainable future. We want this transition to come as fast as possible so that our communities in rural areas can enjoy a better and quality life. It is my belief that the facilities we are handing over today, will enhance the resilience of the communities to the impacts of climate change and be able to sustain their livelihoods.
Namibia is a water-scarce country and ranks amongst the 30 driest countries in the world. It is against this background that I would like to urge all stakeholders and implementing partners of this project to ensure that the little water that we have is conserved, respected, shared and enjoyed by present and future generations in our country,” Libanda said.