Development an Early Warning and Information System for the Cuvelai Basin
The Co-Design of Hydrometeorological Information System for Sustainable Water Resource Management in Southern Africa (Co-HYDIM-SA) project aims to address the pressing need for hydrometeorological early warning and information systems (EWIS) to support water resource management and enhance water security in the northern Namibia and southern Angola. A key milestone in achieving this goal is the co-design and development of the Cuvelai Basin Early Warning and Information System (CUVEWIS), designed to provide timely, reliable information to support sustainable water management in the basin.
Team members from the CO-HYDIM-SA and CUVKUN projects, together with regional hydrologists from Namibia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, following a stakeholder meeting at Oshakati Guest House in April 2025. The in-person meeting provided an opportunity for detailed discussions on the ongoing collaboration between the CO-HYDIM-SA and CUVKUN projects. (Source: Co-HYDIM-SA)
To strengthen collaborative management, planning capacity, and practices at the transboundary basin level, including the establishment of an early warning and information system for the Cuvelai Basin, the Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience in the Adjacent Cuvelai and Kunene Transboundary River Basins (CUVKUN) project was recently launched. The CUVKUN project with a duration of 5.5 years and a budget of USD 11 million, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP, with execution support from Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA).
Given their shared objectives, particularly the development of an EWIS for the Cuvelai Basin, Co-HYDIM-SA was invited to a CUVKUN workshop in March 2025 with stakeholders from both countries to present its concept of the planned CUVEWIS. Following intense discussions with the representatives of both countries, the stakeholder community recommended and encouraged the close collaboration between CUVCUN and Co-HYDIM-SA in order to create synergies and avoid duplicating efforts in the region. With such endorsement by the stakeholders, steps are now underway to formalise this partnership through a collaboration agreement which outlines the respective roles as well as the technical and financial support from each project. Underpinning the commitment of both projects, a series of meetings have meanwhile taken place, leading to the establishment of a joint CUVEWIS technical working group comprising members from both Co-HYDIM-SA and CUVKUN. In addition, Co-HYDIM-SA and CUVCUN started to jointly work with all stakeholders on the technical needs assessment in order to assure the development of a CUVEWIS which is fully supported by all relevant stakeholders.
This partnership reflects the region’s growing commitment to enhancing water security and building climate resilience through cooperation and the exchange of expertise. Importantly, it aligns with Co-HYDIM-SA’s core principle of co-design, which fosters integration, prevents duplication of efforts, and optimises the efficient use of resources and technical knowledge transfer across Southern Africa.
Author:
Prof. Dr. Andreas H. Fink, Dr. Simon Ageet
For more information and details, please visit the CO-HYDIM-SA project website.
More information on all seven projects can be found here and in the programme publication.
