Development Alternatives, Inc. JO No. 44 Water Users Associations (WUAs) in Middle HElmand and Herat Final Report. Report for RAMP-CLIN 0002-JO No. 44-DAI. RAMP/DAI, June 2006

摘要

Participation of water users and irrigators in irrigation management has become an important aspect of the development and sustainable use of water resources and infrastructure in Afghanistan. The need for participatory irrigation management became even stronger in the face of severe shortage of government resources to finance the repair, operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems destroyed during twenty-three years of war. The program to develop Water Users Association (WUAs) was initiated in Afghanistan in November 2004 through a project funded by USAID and managed by DAI and RAMP/Chemonics. The project began as a pilot activity in Middle Helmand using Nad-i-Ali and Marja districts as target areas that are irrigated from the Boghra Canal. Building on the experience gained in Helmand the program was initiated in Herat in November 2005 to develop WUA in the Injil District on the Injil Canal. Water Management and maintenance of irrigation systems in Afghanistan are done by the Mirabs. The Mirabs are the water masters elected by the water users to supervise water distribution, system maintenance and resolution of disputes among the water users. However, the Mirab system does not have the legal statues and organizational/institutional capabilities to effectively respond to the emerging needs of the water users, implement necessary changes and conduct effective O&M of the irrigation system. A WUA is established by the water users and is owned by them. It serves as an independent and legal entity that operates autonomous of government control. It possesses the authority and powers to distribute water for irrigation and is responsible for operations and maintenance (O&M) of irrigation and drainage systems.