Scoping mission on water in rwanda - Partners voor Water

<strong>Scoping</strong> Mission on Rwanda for Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kigali
Annex 1. Terms of Reference Water <strong>Scoping</strong> Mission Rwanda
Rwanda is endowed with substantial freshwater resources. To that extent, regular rainfall patterns and low
usage base has, until now, not promoted water storage and water monitoring as a necessity. There is a clear
gap of observatory data and monitoring framework for Rwanda’s water and climate. The challenges of rapid
population
growth, increased urbanisation and industry, environmental degradation and pollution are leading to
accelerated depletion and degradation of the available water resources. Any significant increase in Rwanda’s
water demand will impact downstream nations, primarily the beneficiaries of the Kagera basin and riparian
states of the Nile. However, the management of Rwanda’s water and natural resources is complex and
involves cross cutting issues spanning all sectors, and demands the participation of national and regional
stakeholders. There is need for a review of the water management structures that will be required at
Rwanda’s transboundary management level to mitigate the future potential for difficulties in international
water budgeting. Transforming the national reliance on rainfall, particularly rain-fed agriculture must be a
priority reflected in sectoral development planning and public infrastructure spending. Low quality
production and fluctuation in yields is stagnating Rwanda’s development and growth potential.
2. Purpose and Scope of the <strong>mission</strong>
The purpose of the <strong>mission</strong> is “to assess opportunities for Netherlands’ support to the water sector in
Rwanda, including the wider regional context”. The character of the <strong>mission</strong> is that of a scoping exercise:
exploring ideas, making an inventory and a first selection of such opportunities. The Embassy will use the
output of the <strong>mission</strong> for its multi-annual planning exercise for the period 2012 - 2015.
With respect to contents, the <strong>mission</strong> will focus on IWRM as a whole, but also on all subsectors of the water
sector, in particular the links between water management and food security (“ Water for Food”). Also “ Water
for Environment” and “ Water for People” should be considered. Water and sanitation issues (f.ex. drinking
water, waste water treatment) are explicitly included in this <strong>mission</strong>. Although the regional context and
transboundary issues should be considered, visits to neighbouring countries are not foreseen.
Furthermore, related to water, the <strong>mission</strong> will consider aspects of policy development, capacity building,
technology transfers, investments, planning and implementation.
3. Objectives of the <strong>mission</strong>
Given purpose and scope as defined in paragraph 2, objectives of the <strong>mission</strong> are:
- Give an overview of the water sector of Rwanda, including linkages with other sectors
- Give an overview of major actors, donors and stakeholders in the water sector
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