Staff Reporter
THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the governments of Namibia and Angola, is advancing water security and community resilience in the Cuvelai–Kunene Basin through a multi-million-dollar transboundary project that combines infrastructure upgrades, local leadership and climate-resilient solutions.
Through the Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience Project (CUVKUN), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) at a cost of USD 11.17 million, approximately N$186 million, UNDP is supporting cooperation between Namibia and Angola to improve the management of shared water resources, strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods.
From 8 to 18 November 2025, UNDP Namibia led a monitoring and quality assurance mission to 13 project demonstration sites—eight in Namibia and five in Angola—to assess progress, document lessons learnt and inform planning for the 2026 implementation cycle. The project is implemented through the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), the Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM) and the Permanent Joint Technical Commission (PJTC).
Field visits to villages including Onamatende, Okanyanona, Omboloka, Oluwaya, Shanalumono, Shapoko (Ouholondema), Ombundamuti and Olupumbu revealed strong community commitment to managing and safeguarding water infrastructure. Residents consistently expressed readiness to take ownership of water systems, a process that will be reinforced through the establishment and training of community-led Water Point Committees to oversee infrastructure, promote transparency and enforce agreed rules.
Youth participation featured prominently during consultations, particularly around the role of improved water access in supporting agriculture and diversified livelihoods. Communities stressed that early and inclusive consultation builds trust and encourages long-term care of shared resources.
In parallel, the project is rehabilitating and upgrading key water infrastructure, including fenced earth ponds, solar-powered pumping systems, animal drinking troughs and water storage tanks. These improvements are expected to enhance access to reliable water for households, livestock and small-scale farming, strengthening rural livelihoods in a climate-stressed environment.
In drought-prone areas such as Omboloka and Oluwaya, where ageing traditional wells are increasingly unreliable, the project is introducing climate-resilient technologies, including rainwater harvesting systems and backup water extraction mechanisms, to improve water availability during dry periods.
The mission also identified opportunities to strengthen flood preparedness in flood-prone communities such as Shanalumono and Evale. While information is already shared through radio and local committees, gaps remain in coordination and standardisation. Recommendations include improving real-time water-level monitoring, rehabilitating hydrometric stations and documenting indigenous flood prediction knowledge.
UNDP and its partners are working with traditional leaders to integrate indigenous knowledge into modern early warning systems, combining scientific data with local forecasting methods to reduce disaster risks.
As the project moves into its next phase, focus will be placed on strengthening technical capacity in both countries, expanding water governance training, enhancing climate-adaptive livelihood options and ensuring long-term sustainability through inclusive participation.
A participant from Onamatende Village welcomed the approach, saying community consultation “makes us feel part of the process and encourages us to take care of the infrastructure”.
The CUVKUN Project continues to position communities as co-managers of water resources, contributing to regional cooperation and building resilience among vulnerable populations in the Cuvelai–Kunene Basin.
Source: Project Analyst of UNDP Namibia, Lusia Kalipi and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of UNDP Namibia, Meitavelo Litulamo Himufe.
PICTURED: Traditional well at Omboloka Village. Photo: UNDP Namibia
