Egypt’s Irrigation Min. follows up on climate resilience plans

Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam held a meeting to review the ministry’s strategy on climate change adaptation and the progress of technical studies by the National Water Research Centre (NWRC) on rainwater harvesting, as per a Cabinet statement.

During the meeting, Sewilam reviewed a study prepared by the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), a part of the NWRC, that assessed the technical and economic feasibility of rainwater harvesting infrastructure in the Sinai Peninsula.

The study prioritises wadis with the greatest development potential, taking into account current population densities, future economic plans, and projected climate-related changes in rainfall patterns.

The minister was also briefed on a preliminary draft of a national study, jointly prepared by the WRRI and Construction Research Institute (CRI) , to assess the current state of rainwater harvesting facilities across Egypt.

The study aims to establish a comprehensive future plan that expands rainwater harvesting infrastructure in line with development priorities, high-population zones, and areas earmarked for economic investment, while also factoring in the effects of climate change on rainfall and flood distribution.

Sewilam instructed officials to review the study’s parameters and divide the country into phases based on technical and developmental priorities, stressing the need to protect infrastructure projects across Egypt.

He also called for coordination with international donors and development partners to explore grant-based funding for similar studies covering all wadis nationwide.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama