Olive harvest near Kairouan, Tunisia

    Core area “Conserving nature and natural resources, protecting life on Earth” Threat of water shortages

    In many regions in the interior of Tunisia, people's livelihoods are under threat because of the increasing shortage of water. At the same time, demand is constantly increasing, especially in the country's irrigation-intensive agriculture.

    Since surface water resources are not sufficient to meet this demand, more and more groundwater is being consumed. In some regions, this has led to a dramatic drop in groundwater tables.

    Germany is promoting the sustainable use of water resources. Germany and Tunisia have drawn up a reform catalogue together, which is comparable to the approach taken under the reform partnership. Germany awards additional support in the form of promotional loans in recognition of reform objectives that are achieved.

    Advice and investments in infrastructure

    On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, GIZ is providing advisory services to the Tunisian government for the implementation of central reforms in the water sector, for instance with regard to water rights and cost and tariff structure. Awareness-raising campaigns help people to understand the value of drinking water. Financial Cooperation projects involve measures to repair existing irrigation systems and introduce new, more efficient irrigation techniques (for instance drip irrigation systems).

    Impacts

    Access to drinking water and the quality of drinking water have been improved for some 2.1 million people in disadvantaged regions. Better irrigation techniques have improved the living conditions of some 100,000 people in rural areas.


    As at: 28/03/2023