Water

Finding solutions together
© Tineke Dijkstra

Mozambique has vast water resources, but their distribution in time and space is highly variable. The Netherlands can provide a unique contribution to the water sector of Mozambique. Deficiencies in infrastructure, service provision and lack of capacity undermine adequate supply of water, drought management and flood control.

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The availability of the right quantity and quality of water at the right time and at the right place is key for inclusive and sustainable development. The increasing competition between water uses, e.g. drinking water, irrigated agriculture, hydropower, industry and increasing variability in rainfall due to climate change raise the need for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).

The Netherlands can provide a unique contribution to the water sector of Mozambique for three main reasons. Firstly, through our internationally recognized expertise in water management. Both countries are downstream of major international rivers, both have a long coastline, both have vulnerable coastal aquifers and both need to cope with climate change. Secondly, we have established ourselves in Mozambique as a trusted long-term partner, notably through institutional support. Thirdly, the Netherlands has experience in bringing in the (local and international) private sector.

The Netherlands focusses on three areas of the water sector

1. Improved river management and safe delta’s

2. Increased access to water & sanitation

3. Urban development

We do so by working with various partners, both in the public and the private sector. The Netherlands also supports international water management between Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique. Below we highlight our public water and sanitation partners: FIPAG and AIAS. In the Urban development section, our support to the city of Beira to adapt to climate change will be highlighted. 

Improved River management and safe delta’s

The overall goal of our Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) program is to contribute to the sustainable social and economic development of Mozambique by promoting water safety and water security based on the IWRM principles. The program is aimed at improved water security and water safety for at least 1.500.000 people. The outcomes to achieve the results of the IWRM program are:

a) Equitable allocation of water;

b) Flood risks reduced;

c) Water quality improved;

d) Increased availability of water.

Dutch support in this area is through IWRM Program that consists of 5 projects namely: two at subnational level- the development of regional water management authorities- ARA Norte and ARA Centro, two at national level- the National Directorates for Water Resources Management and Water Supply and Sanitation and one at international level- the development of cross-boundary River Basin Organisation for the Incomati and Maputo River basin.

Water & Sanitation: AIAS and FIPAG

AIAS is the organization responsible for safe drinking water and sanitation in the peri-urban cities- www.aias.gov.mz. The Dutch support focuses particularly on 75 small towns in Mozambique. Our program consists not only of the development of AIAS’ institutional capacity, but also supports capacity building of small, local, water and sanitation operators, creating an enabling environment for the private sector. We support this program with the aim of improving water supply services and increasing the number of people with access to safe water and adequate sanitation.

FIPAG is the asset holder for water supply systems in Mozambique and is responsible for ensuring water supply to the 21 major towns in Mozambique- www.fipag.co.mz. FIPAG is a consolidated organisation that managed to ensure reliable water supply of good quality to urban population in the major cities.

Nonetheless, it remains a challenge to supply water to all the people of Mozambique since the demand for water increases due to population growth and economic development and is affected by extreme events that damages water supply infrastructure. NL expects that with its contribution will help FIPAG reach its goal to increase access to safe drinking water to the population in the 21 major cities of Mozambique by further strengthening the organisation.

Urban Development/Beira Masterplan 2035

The city of Beira, located at the mouth of the Púngue river, is one of the largest city of Mozambique. The Dutch Government and the City of Beira have a partnership with the aim to strengthen the city’s resilience to flooding and to help it to adapt to climate change. The first stage in this process was the preparation of a vision for the city until 2035, the Beira Masterplan. The plan was developed with Dutch partners and was adopted by the Beira City Council in 2014 and aims to make Beira a sustaina­ble, safe and prosperous city and a leading main port on the East African coast.

The Master plan has created opportunities and space for collabo­rative public and public-private projects and investments, such as the development of new areas in the city for low and medium cost housing and for industry; the establishment of a land development company,  with the help of subsidies from RVO.nl; support to the municipality to improve the land registry in collaboration with Kadaster International; improved water supply for the city with FIPAG; urban drainage rehabilitation funded by the World Bank; and an urban landscape plan to make the city more green by the German KfW.