WFP, government sign MoU on integrated water resource management

The United Nations World Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation in integrated water resources management and climate change.

The three-year cooperation aims to promote sustainable development, boost local trade, and strengthen resilience and adaptation to shocks.

Harald Mannhardt, WFP Acting Deputy Country Director said the MoU will strengthen the cooperation ties between the Ministry and WFP.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity of signing MoU, so that we can look forward to this relationship and it will observably take us to the next level of cooperation,” said Mannhardt during the signing ceremony at the ministry’s head office in Juba.

Mannhardt said the integrated water resource management is crucial for enabling humanitarian assistance, and enhancing livelihood as well as supporting the food system and strengthening the community to resilience and shocks.

“This MoU will create a framework for collaboration between the ministry and WFP. We want both to use our areas of expertise we have and we can bring certain things on table,” he said.

Emmanuel Lado Parmenas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Water Resource and Irrigation, said the MoU includes studies and assessment in integrated water resources management and climate change.

“This not a project, this is a memorandum of understanding, a memorandum of collaboration where we feel that we need to work together and give services to the people of this country,” said Lado.

“The specific projects will be designed and determined when carrying out joint studies, joint assessment, then thereafter we shall determine how much money is required for each project and activity,” he added.