Rwanda Integrated Water Security Program

The Rwanda Integrated Water Security Program (RIWSP ) sought  to improve the sustainable management of water quantity and quality to positively impact human health, food security, and resiliency to climate change for vulnerable populations in targeted catchments in Rwanda. As a sub-program under the Global Water for Sustainability Program (GLOWS ) consortium, RIWSP was supported by a grant from USAID to Florida International University.

The conceptual approach guiding RIWSP involved a coordinated set of activities nested at multiple spatial scales, particularly at the community and central government levels. At the community level, through implementing practical and innovative technical activities, they aimed to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable rural populations, while building capacities at the local level to ensure the long-term benefits of these activities. At the district and national levels, they contributed to institutional strengthening through capacity building of human resources and support to the development and implementation of national policies and strategies related to the three sector areas (water, food security, and adaptation to climate change) addressed by RIWSP.

ICIWaRM’s primary contribution to the RIWSP program was work on a “Decentralization Assessment and Capacity Development Plan: A Report for the Rwanda Integrated Water Security Program (RIWSP)”, published by RIWSP. 2013. Authors: Maria Rusca (IHE) and Sarah Sieloff (ICIWaRM).