LocationsFirst Knowledge Exchange Workshop Enhances Water Resilience in RMI
December 16, 2024
Group Photo – Day 1 of Knowledge Exchange Workshop.
Ebeye, Republic of the Marshall Islands- The first Community Knowledge Exchange Workshop for Community Water Committees (CWCs) recently concluded in Ebeye, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).
This workshop was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office through the Addressing Climate Change Vulnerability in the Water Sector (ACWA) project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and co-financed by the Government of the RMI.
The workshop aimed to facilitate inter-island knowledge exchange with CWCs and community leadership from the Kwajalein atoll. This included a broad cross-section of representatives from the communities of Santo, Enebooj, Carlos, Gugeegu, Looj, Ebadon and Kabin Meto, in addition to Wotho and Lae Atolls and Lib Island.
Fostering dialogue and encouraging collaboration to address the impacts of climate change and improve disaster response strategies remains key in RMI, with the workshop featuring interactive discussions, group exercises, and a practical field visit to Enebouj Island, where participants observed a modular rainwater harvesting system installed under the ACWA project. This system, designed to enhance water quality and increase storage capacity, provided participants with hands-on experience and insights into its practical applications.
Opening Remarks by Mr. Rodriquez Malolo, Deputy General Manager of Ebeye, Kwajalein EPA.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Rodríguez Malolo, Deputy General Manager of Ebeye, Kwajalein Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), emphasized the importance of collective action:
“We must work together to address the challenges climate change brings to our water resources. Events like this allow us to share experiences and knowledge that will benefit not just our communities, but the entire nation”
During the workshop, participants shared experiences learned from past droughts, and discussed strategies to safeguard water supplies. They were encouraged to explore various adaptation measures that communities can implement to enhance resilience, including sustainable water management practices, infrastructure improvements, and innovative collaboration tools to mitigate the effects of climate change. Community members exchanged experiences and provided guidance to peers on developing contingency plans, early warning systems, and community training programs to effectively respond to water-related disasters.
"As a child, I watched my family use traditional methods to purify water during droughts," shared a participant from Santo.
EPA Presentation to the Participants.
"It’s clear to me now how important it is to combine these traditional practices with modern technology to ensure clean and sustainable water solutions," she said. The field visit to Enebouj Island was a highlight of the program. Participants observed modular rainwater harvesting systems installed as part of the ACWA project, designed to enhance water quality and increase storage capacity.
Seeing these systems in action helped participants better understand their functionality and potential impact, inspiring many to advocate for their implementation in their own communities.
The workshop established a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering innovation, as well as a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by CWCs, strengthening communication and collaboration between the ACWA/EPA team and local governments.
EPA Presentation to the Participants.
This workshop represents a vital milestone in the ACWA project’s commitment to enhancing resilience and sustainability in the RMI. With a strong focus on inclusivity, the event actively involved women, youth, and persons with disabilities, ensuring that all voices were heard and valued.
The success of this workshop paves the way for continued collaboration and innovation, as participants return to their communities with renewed motivation to tackle water security challenges and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector in the Marshall Islands (ACWA) Project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (GoRMI), the Australian Government, and the European Union (EU), enhances the ability of Marshallese to adapt to increasing climate risks, particularly extreme droughts and coastal inundation. Running from 2020 to 2027, the project works to: improve household and community rainwater harvesting and storages, secure groundwater resources from contamination, and strengthen the technical capacities of national and subnational institutions and key stakeholders to integrate climate change risks into water governance processes.
For more information please contact:
Koji Kumamaru | ACWA Project Manager |UNDP Pacific Office in the North Pacific | koji.kumamaru@undp.org
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