Scoping Advice for the Dutch IWRM Support Programme Rwanda

Data AssessmentData assessment should assist decision makers in coming to the best possible decision taking allaspects (be it economic, social or ecological) into account. In order for technicians and engineersto give a good advice for the decision makers there is usually a need to model the water system.The NCEA has also noticed this desire in Rwanda. It is also understood that each model is just arepresentation of reality and is therefore never 100% realistic. While gaining experience in riverbasin modeling will be helpful during future more advanced IWRM, simple calculations within anexcel spreadsheet can often be enough in an early stage of IWRM, in order to give sufficient inputfor the initial decisions that need to be taken.3. On data assessment, the NCEA recommends to:- At regular intervals, identify the main information needs for decision makers (the catchmentplan will play an important role in this, see par. 3.3);- Assist the RWRD in the definition of criteria for choosing the basic technologies needed togive sufficient advice on these main information needs. Take into account simplicity and userfriendliness;- Verify within the staffing plan of the RWRD whether related expertise is foreseen, such as; GISexpertise or basic modelling skills or specific skills needed for the MIS operation and/or dataassessment.4. With regard to the EKN programme component 1, the NCEA advises:- To asses, as a first SEA step, the necessity for a separate component on MIS development. Ifredundant, the EKN could decide to develop a programme with two components rather thanthree: capacity development and catchment management;- Focus on MIS will not be lost: the capacity development component could focus on theimplementation of the presently designed MIS;- Further refinement of the MIS at catchment level can be linked to the catchment managementcomponent, where more detailed information is an absolute necessity for reliable catchmentplanning.3.2 Component 2: Capacity DevelopmentThe complete component title and description in the NCEA’s ToR reads as follows:Component 2: Increased Capacity of the Water Resources Department (nation wide). Based on aninstitutional assessment (including a training needs assessment), curricula and training courseswill be developed for specific target groups at central and district levels to enhance capacity andknowledge on IWRM issues; target groups could come from sectoral ministries, other governmentorganizations and civil society organizations as long as their mandate is relevant to aspects ofwater resources management 2121 Description derived from NCEA’s ToR, see Appendix 116