Water security is a concept that has at least two different, yet interrelated notions all driven by a vision to protect and care for humanity. First, climate change and climate variability are influencing the incidence of extreme natural events (e.g. droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc). The poor are the hardest hit by these events. There is then an urgent need of providing efficient water storage and risk management infrastructure in the developing world and so finding ways to cope with uncertainty and risk by developing both structural and non-structural measures is of vital importance.
The combination of flood control and early warning systems can provide rapid response and adaptation strategies, especially for vulnerable communities in both the developing and industrialized countries.
Finally, the concept of hydro-solidarity refers to a broader vision which seeks a higher ethical involvement of citizens in their interaction with water for the sake of peace and coexistence.
Primary Discussion Aspects
Inputs sought for local actions –already underway or planned– comprising the following aspects:
Capacity-building and financial support schemes for participative forecasting technologies and predictive capacities, risk assessment, risk mitigation, risk sharing strategies and adaptation strategies.
Strategies for local adaptation to climate change and variability as well as other extreme natural phenomena.
Strategies to deal with social conflict and warfare threats (e.g. protection and security schemes for water supply and wastewater facilities, rapid response strategies to toxins and bio-hazards; surveillance techniques and institutional development of water security responsibilities; water security implementation plans and inter-agency coordination in the event of complex emergencies, etc).
Efficiency in the construction and management of water storage reservoirs for drought alleviation.
Crafting local water ethics and hydro-solidarity.
Last update: February 9, 2010
4th World Water Forum, Mexico City, March 16-22, 2006
Water security is a concept that has at least two different, yet interrelated notions all driven by a vision to protect and care for humanity. First, climate change and climate variability are influencing the incidence of extreme natural events (e.g. droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc). The poor are the hardest hit by these events. There is then an urgent need of providing efficient water storage and risk management infrastructure in the developing world and so finding ways to cope with uncertainty and risk by developing both structural and non-structural measures is of vital importance.
Inputs sought for local actions –already underway or planned– comprising the following aspects: