The inconvenient truths of water development in the drylands of the Horn of Africa: How to use new water sources to support resilience for pastoralists

This brief explores how to best manage risks associated with permanent water supplies in arid and semi-arid lands in the Horn of Africa. Permanent water supplies are often assumed to have a positive impact on climate resilience. However, there are concerns about potential negative effects of water supply developments in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) on grazing patterns, settlement and conflicts.

The brief concludes that water systems are being introduced with no connections to the governance of natural resources as a whole. This is being guided by asking communities the question, 'Do you want a water source?' rather than asking how people access and use those resources, and how that can be improved. June 2025 This material has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government's official policies. Funded by sparc-knowledge.org @SPARC_Ideas Water systems are being introduced with little connection to local informal institutions that manage natural resources. As a result, water governance is seen in isolation from the rangeland as whole, and water governance often fails.