Rainwater harvesting and management in semi-arid areas of Tigray region, Ethiopia

Located in the eastern part of Tigray Region, Ethiopia, Saesie-Tsaeda district has a total population of 30,829 people, most of whom are dependent on rain-fed subsistence agriculture. Access to adequate quantities of safe water in this semi-arid region is a consistent challenge. To provide an alternative source of water, local NGO ECC-SADCO constructed rain water harvesting structures and set up a sustainable operation and management system in the district. This paper highlights the key lessons from this project activity, specifically regarding rain water harvesting cisterns in semi-dry areas.