Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Africa Water & Sanitation & Hygiene August 2018 | Page 5

NEWS in brief
2018 World Water Week - “Water, Ecosystems and
Human Development” - Focus on Africa
Stockholm, Sweden — The 2018 World Water Week will take
place from 26 to 31 August in Stockholm, Sweden, under the theme:
“Water, ecosystems and human development.”
Hosted and organized by the Stockholm International Water
Institute (SIWI), World Water Week is the largest global
event focusing on water sector and development-related
challenges. The meeting brings together governments,
experts, and private sector leaders to brainstorm solutions
to the most pressing water-related challenges of today.
This year’s Stockholm World Water Week will explore the
need to safeguard the sustainability of vital ecosystems
as habitats for plant and animal life, and as resources for
human development and well-being.
The African Development Bank, which plays a key advisory
role to the meeting, will develop the content and assist the
overall set-up of the event. The Bank has a seat on the
Scientific Program Committee, which works with SIWI
to ensure the scientific quality and relevance of World
Water Week, and develops its scientific components. The
Bank, in close collaboration with SIWI and the Scientific
Program Committee, will also lead on development of
the conference program, identifying keynote speakers and
issuing a post-meeting report.
As part of the conference, the Bank, the African Water
Facility (AWF), the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation
Initiative (RWSSI) and other partners will organize two
seminars on the topics:
Around Africa
Nevertheless, water
shortages
have
opened up business
opportunity
for
vendors
that
operate around the
city
distributing
water in yellow
Photo: Ethiopian Herald
20-litre jerrycans.
Construction in Addis Ababa.
Nonetheless, have
created difficulties
and extra expenses for public institutions such as health
centres.
The authorities admit that there is a persistent problem and
claim that they are working to address it. The main culprit
is the city’s large water demand, according to sources from
the Addis Abeba Water & Sewerage Authority. The city
is only able to meet 60pc of the demand of its estimated
four million residents. To a lesser extent, frequent
power outages, and lack of maintenance of the water
infrastructure have contributed to water shortages. The
water authority has said that at least 17pc of the pumped
water never reaches consumers, as aging and broken pipes
disgorge water back into the environment.
There are efforts underway to address these bottlenecks
including ongoing projects to improve the water
infrastructure. The new deputy mayor of the city, Takele
Uma, has also promised to strengthen the institutional
capacity of the organs of the city dealing with the water
distribution system.
29/08/2018 - Sustainable infrastructure for inclusive
growth Addis Abeba, the city with the highest population in the
country, has continuously grappled with weak service
delivery of water, power shortages, drainage problems and
undependable trash collection, areas which have remained
constant headaches for successive administrations.
Wambui Gichuri, Director of the Water Development and
Sanitation Department, will lead the Bank’s delegation.
Gichuri will also address the Closing Plenary. Namibia
28/08/2018 - Is there such thing as innovative financing
for ecosystems management?
Katutura Hospital Goes Without Water
Ethiopia
Capital Thirsts Again
Despite being a city endowed with high acce ss to water,
Addis Abeba has recently been hit with one of its recurring
bouts of water shortages. Taps have been running dry for
several days in a row, and residents and businesses are
complaining of the financial burdens they have faced and
the inconvenience it has created.
THE Katutura Intermediate hospital is without water, the
health permanent secretary confirmed recently.
Although some nurses, who did not want to be named,
said the hospital has been without water, health PS Ben
Nangombe told the media that while he cannot confirm
exactly when the lack of water was first experienced, it is
due to a maintenance issue.
Nangombe said new water pumps were installed the other
day to pump water from the main reservoir into the tanks
Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • August 2018
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