Water is national security cornerstone – PS

ARUSHA: THE government has identified water security as a crucial element of national security and is urging stakeholders to collaborate in addressing climate change challenges.

The call was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water, Engineer Mwajuma Waziri, during the Behavioural Adaptation for Water Security and Inclusion (BASIN) Project stakeholders’ learning event in Arusha.

In a speech delivered by Mr Prosper Buchafwe, Director of Policy and Planning in the ministry, it was emphasised that water is vital for sustaining ecosystems, driving economic development and ensuring public health.

“Water security is an essential component of national security. Yet, access to water for productive and household use is increasingly threatened by climate change and resource mismanagement,” said Engineer Waziri.

The BASIN project seeks to harness insights from behavioural sciences to enhance water security and resilience against climate change. Implemented in Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Malawi, the project investigates how individual perceptions and motivations influence responses to climate information and adaptation behaviours.

It also examines how institutions can adapt their practices to ensure climate-resilient water management.

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“Traditional methods of managing water resources are valuable but insufficient alone. The focus of this BASIN initiative is both timely and crucial. Our actions and social structures must evolve to tackle the complex challenges of water security and climate change in the 21st century,” she noted.

In Tanzania, the BASIN project operates in seven districts: Mpwapwa, Chemba and Kondoa in Dodoma; Mvomero in Morogoro; Babati and Hanang in Manyara; and Meru in Arusha. This collaborative effort involves the WISE Futures Centre at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), WaterAid Tanzania and Shahidi wa Maji. Eng Waziri expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between government, NGOs and academic institutions.

She thanked the Foreign ministry, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for their financial support through the BASIN Consortium, led by the London School of Economics (LSE).

“My participation in this event signifies our commitment to fostering initiatives that promote climate resilience and equitable access to water for individuals, businesses and ecosystems,” she stated.

The event gathered over 60 stakeholders to discuss climate adaptation challenges and advance inclusive water security through innovative approaches based on behavioural sciences.

The BASIN project, funded by the CLARE research programme on Climate Adaptation and Resilience, is one of 16 consortiums under CLARE, which is jointly designed by the UK and Canadian governments.

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Participants engaged in discussions about the project’s objectives and the importance of collaborative platforms for implementing and sharing knowledge on behavioural adaptation strategies.

Chairperson of the National Multi-sectoral Forum for Water Resources Management, Eng Herbert Kashililah insisted on the need for evidence-based understanding and collaboration for a water-secure future.

In her closing remarks, Country Director of WaterAid Tanzania, Anna Mzinga, emphasised the need to translate insights into action: “Our work does not conclude with this event—it is just the beginning. We must ensure that the knowledge gained here reaches the communities we serve, empowering them to take charge of their water futures.”