In a landmark initiative aimed at improving water resource management in South Ethiopia Region, especially Gamo Zone, Arba Minch University (AMU) and the Czech Geological Survey (CGS) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 8, 2024. The initiative, titled “Improving the quality of life by ensuring availability and sustainable management of water resources in Sidama Region and Gamo and Gofa Zones (Ethiopia),' is designed to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources in the target areas. Click here to see more photos.
Dr. Damtew Darza, AMU President, underscoring the importance of the collaboration said that the partnership will greatly benefit both the university and the communities it serves. He also briefed the university's long-distance experience emphasizing on its tackling local challenges through collaborative efforts.
Dr. Zdeněk Venera, Director of the Czech Geological Survey, elaborated on the project's objectives and its historical contexts which include a variety of geoscience initiatives ranging from geological mapping to soil and hydro-geology. He highlighted CGS's ongoing commitment to educational initiatives in Ethiopia which began in 2012 and currently encompasses 15 projects three of which involve AMU. "The focus of this project is on thorough geological and hydrological assessments that are vital for local resource management strategies," Dr. Venera remarked.
Dr. Leta Alemayehu, Deputy Project Coordinator at CGS, outlined the project's goals; emphasizing on the necessity of multidisciplinary geoscientific information to support informed decision-making in natural resource management, he said, the aim is to gather crucial geological data that will guide resource management strategies and ensure community engagement in sustainable practices.
Following the signing ceremony, project members visited three model project sites with measurement instruments installed: Abaya Campus in Arba Minch, Nech Sar National Park, and Gircha Vegetables and Highland Fruits Research Center in Chencha. The visits allowed the team to assess current geological and hydrological resources and plan for future interventions. The collaboration also involves the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy and other various partner institutions including AMU, George Washington University in the United States, and Charles University in the Czech Republic.
Organized by the project partner 'ALL FOR SOIL’, the training equipped experts from the Gamo Zone's agriculture, water, and mining sectors with skills in advanced GIS, landscape modeling, and remote sensing analysis. The participants expressed their enthusiasm about the practical applications of the training; the opportunity has significantly broadened their understanding of sustainable practices.
The Czech Development Agency is funding the project with a budget of 1.5 million Czech Crowns (approximately $66,300) earmarked for fieldwork until the end of 2026. The initiative is set to run from January 2024 to December 2026 concentrating on improving access to clean water and enhancing the quality of life for local communities. Moreover, the project aims to create geological and hydrological maps for the entire territory of Ethiopia ensuring that essential information is accessible for practical applications and aiding in the search for groundwater sources.
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