Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improve-ment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessment
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
InvestmentsOver the period 1999 to 2011 the Government ofthe Gambiarsquos water-related investments accountedfor an estimated 21 percent of total government ex-penditure Government investments were essentiallytargeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systemsand agricultural water resources There are severalyears for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross dis-bursements were mainly directed at basic drinkingwater supply and basic sanitation and water supplyand sanitation - large systems
OverallPressures on waterThe Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guineaand Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuouslysaline conditions exist in the lower reaches ofthe River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are locatedThe key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy toensure IWRM strengthening of the human andinfrastructure capacities of sector institutionsimprovement of groundwater management (themain source of domestic water supply throughoutthe country) and empowerment of communitiesto participate effectively in water managementExisting legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach towater management
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorgWaterCountryBriefshtml
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas arenot available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in theDevelopment Management and Use of Water Resources
AssessmentsIrrigated agricultureDuring 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annuallyBy developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia couldincrease output
Drinking water supply and sanitationSome 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantlyin rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting inthe fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestryhave not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem healthInsufficient data for analysis
Tracking governanceOperationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collectionprocessing and dissemination are among the key challenges
Data ConcernsData on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quanti-ty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to govern-ments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimersbull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented hereis an advocacy tool designed to generate debateand attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existingdatabases or was collected from national reportsexperts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize theinformation for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related esti-mates may not include water-related investments thatare counted under other categories of investmentsand some investment categories (ie disaster preven-tion and preparedness) may include some investmentsthat are not directly water-related Moreover waterbeing a crosscutting issue investments in other partsof the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA accordingto the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to governmentexpenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget(1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investmentdata and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
(
(
(
Farafenni
BasseSanta Su
BanjulBankoteh
Brikama
Sandougou
Senegal
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
AtlanticOcean
NORTH BANK
WESTERN
LOWERRIVER
CENTRAL
RIVER
UPPERRIVER
KOMBOSAINTMARY
BANJUL(
(
Gambia
0 20 40 60
Kilometres
l
The designations employed and the presentation of material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoeveron the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations concerning the legal status of any country territory cityor area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
DisclaimerFAO - AQUASTAT 2005
City
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Legend(
GAMBIA
year
The Money Stream
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439 165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest) Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest) Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Water withdrawals by sector (total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
21 39
UN-Water Country Brief
From 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per year on water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled into water supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567 million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626 percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
21
Annual average government expenditure during the period Annual average official development assistance gross 2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011 disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011
(million constant 2010 US$) (million constant 2010 US$)
105
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
130 614 036 051
90 55 009 001 02 41 25007 01436 28 109006 225 13 148 ___
213
005 062
229
397
___ 100 100
002 084
total annual average 170 567 total annual average
40
50
60
70
80
Impact for developmentDuring 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensityin Industry
Value added by industryin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by industry per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
Value generated by industryin constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
1990 1995 2000 2005
280
304
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Impact for developmentPumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Impact for developmentImplementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking WaterGovernance
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for developmentIn 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percentof gross domestic product In 2012 womenaccounted for 54 percent of the economicallyactive population in agriculture The mainirrigated crop is rice The scope of interventionin extending irrigation and water storage iscurrently below what is required to maximizeproduction Irrigation for agriculture is done ona small scale considering the opportunities forexpansion in the area of cultivation
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
National rainfall index variability(percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP(percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Environment andEcosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
486
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
200019851980 1990 1995 2005
Agriculture value addedin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by agriculturein constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Agriculture net production index and irrigation potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
100
150
200
250
300
646
965
2004
-200
6 =
100
20001990 1995 2005
Agriculture Net ProductionIndex Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
Percentage of irrigation potentialequipped for irrigation ()
30
60
90
120
150
209
269
Water - relatedDisasters
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
19992001200320042007200820092010
11111222
531320059
32 000250
8 0196 137
300700
16 60838 961
Year Numberof Events
Deaths Affected
Note No data on economic damage exists
Impact for developmentAccording to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
Enabling environment for the developmentmanagement and use of water resources
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
Decentralized structures for water resourcesmanagement (other than above)
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
12345
12345
Institutional Frameworks
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
1 Under development2 Developed but implementation not yet started3 Implementation started
4 Implementation advanced5 Fully implemented
Impact for developmentWater sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
Drinking Water Supplyand Sanitation
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fif-teen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popu-lation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fa-cilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
Under 5 child mortality rate (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
Improved drinking water sourceImproved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population)
Access to drinking water and sanitationamp under-5 child mortality(UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
40
55
70
85
100
80
105
130
155
180
Accession of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanita-tion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condi-tions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
sanitation drinking water
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-waterexplicitly recognized in policy or law
urban urbanrural rural
sanitation drinking water
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
urban urbanrural rural
No No no response no response
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
Status and Trends
Government expenditure during the period Official development assistance gross disburseshy2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period ments during the period 2002 - 2011 1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012 (million constant 2010 US$) (million constant 2010 US$)
8 15
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012 bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investments bull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanitashytion - large systems as well as in agricultural water bull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011 bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011 bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly
12 concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODA bull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
6
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project
9 through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
4
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Water desalination plants intakes storage treatment pumping stations conveyance and distribution systems sewerage domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation Water supply and sanitation through low-cost technologies 6 such as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systems rainwater collection storage tanks small distribution systems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septic tanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manageshyment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies groundshywater water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
2 Disaster prevention and preparednessFlood
protection and control Disaster risk reduction activities such as developing knowledge natural risks cartography
3 legal norms for construction early warning systems emergency contingency stocks and contingency planning including preparations for forced displacement Floods from rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion control and sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirs hydraulic structures groundwater exploitation for agricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters (rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation of groundwater prevention of water contamination from agrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projects river flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding dams 0 0 primarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities related
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 to river transport
Status and Trends
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investmentsbull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanita-tion - large systems as well as in agricultural waterbull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODAbull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
Official development assistance gross disburse-ments during the period 2002 - 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
0
2
4
6
8
0
3
6
9
12
15
1999 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 20102003 2005 2007 2009 2011
Government expenditure during the period2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012(million constant 2010 US$)
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
Impact for developmentPumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Impact for developmentImplementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking WaterGovernance
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Environment andEcosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
486
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Waterdesalination plants intakes storage treatment pumpingstations conveyance and distribution systems seweragedomestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitationWater supply and sanitation through low-cost technologiessuch as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systemsrainwater collection storage tanks small distributionsystems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septictanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manage-ment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies ground-water water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
Disaster prevention and preparednessFloodprotection and control Disaster risk reduction activitiessuch as developing knowledge natural risks cartographylegal norms for construction early warning systemsemergency contingency stocks and contingency planningincluding preparations for forced displacement Floodsfrom rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion controland sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirshydraulic structures groundwater exploitation foragricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters(rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation ofgroundwater prevention of water contamination fromagrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projectsriver flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding damsprimarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities relatedto river transport
Water - relatedDisasters
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
19992001200320042007200820092010
11111222
531320059
32 000250
8 0196 137
300700
16 60838 961
Year Numberof Events
Deaths Affected
Note No data on economic damage exists
Impact for developmentAccording to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
Enabling environment for the developmentmanagement and use of water resources
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
Decentralized structures for water resourcesmanagement (other than above)
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
12345
12345
Institutional Frameworks
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
1 Under development2 Developed but implementation not yet started3 Implementation started
4 Implementation advanced5 Fully implemented
sanitation drinking water
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-waterexplicitly recognized in policy or law
urban urbanrural rural
sanitation drinking water
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
urban urbanrural rural
No No no response no response
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
70
80
105
130
Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation
Impact for development During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensity in Industry
Value generated by industry per m3 of water (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Access to drinking water and sanitation amp under-5 child mortality (UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
100 180
85 155
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
70
55
Impact for development Water sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
1990 1995 2000 2005 201080 40
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
280
304 Improved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population) Under 5 child mortality rate
Improved drinking water source
60 Accession of the International Covenant on Economic (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
50
40 1990 1995 2000 2005
Value generated by industry in constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value added by industry in million constant 2000 US$
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fifshyteen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popushylation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fashycilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanitashytion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condishytions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
Agriculture net production index and irrigation Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank) potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for development In 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percent of gross domestic product In 2012 women accounted for 54 percent of the economically active population in agriculture The main irrigated crop is rice The scope of intervention in extending irrigation and water storage is currently below what is required to maximize production Irrigation for agriculture is done on a small scale considering the opportunities for expansion in the area of cultivation
150 300
250
200
150
100
646
965
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
209
269 Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
2004
-200
6 =
100 120
9060
40
20
0 30
60
-20
-40
-60 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
National rainfall index variability (percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP (percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
1990 1995 2000 2005
Percentage of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation ()
Agriculture Net Production Index Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Value generated by agriculture in constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Agriculture value added in million constant 2000 US$
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
40
50
60
70
80
Impact for developmentDuring 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensityin Industry
Value added by industryin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by industry per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
Value generated by industryin constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
1990 1995 2000 2005
280
304
Status and Trends
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investmentsbull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanita-tion - large systems as well as in agricultural waterbull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODAbull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
Official development assistance gross disburse-ments during the period 2002 - 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
0
2
4
6
8
0
3
6
9
12
15
1999 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 20102003 2005 2007 2009 2011
Government expenditure during the period2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012(million constant 2010 US$)
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for developmentIn 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percentof gross domestic product In 2012 womenaccounted for 54 percent of the economicallyactive population in agriculture The mainirrigated crop is rice The scope of interventionin extending irrigation and water storage iscurrently below what is required to maximizeproduction Irrigation for agriculture is done ona small scale considering the opportunities forexpansion in the area of cultivation
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
National rainfall index variability(percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP(percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Waterdesalination plants intakes storage treatment pumpingstations conveyance and distribution systems seweragedomestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitationWater supply and sanitation through low-cost technologiessuch as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systemsrainwater collection storage tanks small distributionsystems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septictanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manage-ment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies ground-water water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
Disaster prevention and preparednessFloodprotection and control Disaster risk reduction activitiessuch as developing knowledge natural risks cartographylegal norms for construction early warning systemsemergency contingency stocks and contingency planningincluding preparations for forced displacement Floodsfrom rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion controland sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirshydraulic structures groundwater exploitation foragricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters(rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation ofgroundwater prevention of water contamination fromagrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projectsriver flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding damsprimarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities relatedto river transport
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
200019851980 1990 1995 2005
Agriculture value addedin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by agriculturein constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Agriculture net production index and irrigation potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
100
150
200
250
300
646
965
2004
-200
6 =
100
20001990 1995 2005
Agriculture Net ProductionIndex Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
Percentage of irrigation potentialequipped for irrigation ()
30
60
90
120
150
209
269
Impact for developmentWater sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
Drinking Water Supplyand Sanitation
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fif-teen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popu-lation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fa-cilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
Under 5 child mortality rate (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
Improved drinking water sourceImproved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population)
Access to drinking water and sanitationamp under-5 child mortality(UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
40
55
70
85
100
80
105
130
155
180
Accession of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanita-tion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condi-tions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
Water - related Disasters
Year Number of Events
Deaths Affected Impact for development Pumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Environment and Ecosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
Impact for development According to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
1999 1 53 32 000 2001 1 1 250 2003 1 3 8 019 2004 1 2 6 137 2007 1 0 300 2008 2 0 700 2009 2 5 16 608 2010 2 9 38 961 Note No data on economic damage exists
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
486
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
Impact for development Implementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking Water Governance
Enabling environment for the development management and use of water resources
Institutional Frameworks
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-water explicitly recognized in policy or law
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
1 2 3 4 5 5
4 3 2 1
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
1 Under development 4 Implementation advanced 2 Developed but implementation not yet started 5 Fully implemented 3 Implementation started
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
No No no response no response Decentralized structures for water resources management (other than above)
year
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per yearon water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled intowater supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for anestimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorgWaterCountryBriefshtml
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
Data ConcernsData on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quanti-ty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to govern-ments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimersbull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented hereis an advocacy tool designed to generate debateand attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existingdatabases or was collected from national reportsexperts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize theinformation for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related esti-mates may not include water-related investments thatare counted under other categories of investmentsand some investment categories (ie disaster preven-tion and preparedness) may include some investmentsthat are not directly water-related Moreover waterbeing a crosscutting issue investments in other partsof the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA accordingto the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to governmentexpenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget(1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investmentdata and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
(
(
(
Farafenni
BasseSanta Su
BanjulBankoteh
Brikama
Sandougou
Senegal
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
AtlanticOcean
NORTH BANK
WESTERN
LOWERRIVER
CENTRAL
RIVER
UPPERRIVER
KOMBOSAINTMARY
BANJUL(
(
Gambia
0 20 40 60
Kilometres
l
The designations employed and the presentation of material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoeveron the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations concerning the legal status of any country territory cityor area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
DisclaimerFAO - AQUASTAT 2005
City
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Legend(
GAMBIA
UN-Water Country Brief
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improveshyment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessment
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
Investments Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government exshypenditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross disshybursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
Overall Pressures on water The Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
Assessments Irrigated agriculture During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitation Some 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem health Insufficient data for analysis
Tracking governance Operationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improve-ment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessmentyear
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per year on water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled into water supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567 million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626 percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
InvestmentsOver the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government ex-penditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross dis-bursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
OverallPressures on waterThe Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
AssessmentsIrrigated agricultureDuring 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitationSome 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem healthInsufficient data for analysis
Tracking governanceOperationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
UN-Water Country Brief
Sandougou Gambia
Data Concerns Data on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quantishyty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to governshyments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimers bull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
Atlantic Ocean
BANJULKOMBO SAINT NORTH BANK
Bankoteh
MARY
( Banjul
(
LOWER RIVER
Brikama (
WESTERN
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
FAO - AQUASTAT 2005 GAMBIA
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented here is an advocacy tool designed to generate debate and attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existing databases or was collected from national reports experts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize the information for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related estishymates may not include water-related investments that are counted under other categories of investments and some investment categories (ie disaster prevenshytion and preparedness) may include some investments that are not directly water-related Moreover water being a crosscutting issue investments in other parts of the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA according to the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to government expenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget (1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investment data and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
Senegal
CENTRAL
RIVERFarafenni
(
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorg WaterCountryBriefshtml
l 0 20 40 60
Kilometres
UPPER RIVER
( Basse
Santa Su
Legend City (
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country territory city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
40
50
60
70
80
Impact for developmentDuring 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensityin Industry
Value added by industryin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by industry per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
Value generated by industryin constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
1990 1995 2000 2005
280
304
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Impact for developmentPumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Impact for developmentImplementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking WaterGovernance
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for developmentIn 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percentof gross domestic product In 2012 womenaccounted for 54 percent of the economicallyactive population in agriculture The mainirrigated crop is rice The scope of interventionin extending irrigation and water storage iscurrently below what is required to maximizeproduction Irrigation for agriculture is done ona small scale considering the opportunities forexpansion in the area of cultivation
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
National rainfall index variability(percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP(percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Environment andEcosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
486
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
200019851980 1990 1995 2005
Agriculture value addedin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by agriculturein constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Agriculture net production index and irrigation potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
100
150
200
250
300
646
965
2004
-200
6 =
100
20001990 1995 2005
Agriculture Net ProductionIndex Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
Percentage of irrigation potentialequipped for irrigation ()
30
60
90
120
150
209
269
Water - relatedDisasters
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
19992001200320042007200820092010
11111222
531320059
32 000250
8 0196 137
300700
16 60838 961
Year Numberof Events
Deaths Affected
Note No data on economic damage exists
Impact for developmentAccording to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
Enabling environment for the developmentmanagement and use of water resources
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
Decentralized structures for water resourcesmanagement (other than above)
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
12345
12345
Institutional Frameworks
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
1 Under development2 Developed but implementation not yet started3 Implementation started
4 Implementation advanced5 Fully implemented
Impact for developmentWater sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
Drinking Water Supplyand Sanitation
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fif-teen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popu-lation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fa-cilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
Under 5 child mortality rate (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
Improved drinking water sourceImproved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population)
Access to drinking water and sanitationamp under-5 child mortality(UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
40
55
70
85
100
80
105
130
155
180
Accession of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanita-tion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condi-tions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
sanitation drinking water
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-waterexplicitly recognized in policy or law
urban urbanrural rural
sanitation drinking water
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
urban urbanrural rural
No No no response no response
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
Status and Trends
Government expenditure during the period Official development assistance gross disburseshy2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period ments during the period 2002 - 2011 1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012 (million constant 2010 US$) (million constant 2010 US$)
8 15
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012 bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investments bull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanitashytion - large systems as well as in agricultural water bull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011 bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011 bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly
12 concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODA bull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
6
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project
9 through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
4
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Water desalination plants intakes storage treatment pumping stations conveyance and distribution systems sewerage domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation Water supply and sanitation through low-cost technologies 6 such as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systems rainwater collection storage tanks small distribution systems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septic tanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manageshyment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies groundshywater water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
2 Disaster prevention and preparednessFlood
protection and control Disaster risk reduction activities such as developing knowledge natural risks cartography
3 legal norms for construction early warning systems emergency contingency stocks and contingency planning including preparations for forced displacement Floods from rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion control and sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirs hydraulic structures groundwater exploitation for agricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters (rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation of groundwater prevention of water contamination from agrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projects river flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding dams 0 0 primarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities related
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 to river transport
Status and Trends
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investmentsbull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanita-tion - large systems as well as in agricultural waterbull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODAbull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
Official development assistance gross disburse-ments during the period 2002 - 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
0
2
4
6
8
0
3
6
9
12
15
1999 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 20102003 2005 2007 2009 2011
Government expenditure during the period2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012(million constant 2010 US$)
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
Impact for developmentPumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Impact for developmentImplementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking WaterGovernance
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Environment andEcosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
486
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Waterdesalination plants intakes storage treatment pumpingstations conveyance and distribution systems seweragedomestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitationWater supply and sanitation through low-cost technologiessuch as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systemsrainwater collection storage tanks small distributionsystems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septictanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manage-ment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies ground-water water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
Disaster prevention and preparednessFloodprotection and control Disaster risk reduction activitiessuch as developing knowledge natural risks cartographylegal norms for construction early warning systemsemergency contingency stocks and contingency planningincluding preparations for forced displacement Floodsfrom rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion controland sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirshydraulic structures groundwater exploitation foragricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters(rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation ofgroundwater prevention of water contamination fromagrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projectsriver flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding damsprimarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities relatedto river transport
Water - relatedDisasters
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
19992001200320042007200820092010
11111222
531320059
32 000250
8 0196 137
300700
16 60838 961
Year Numberof Events
Deaths Affected
Note No data on economic damage exists
Impact for developmentAccording to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
Enabling environment for the developmentmanagement and use of water resources
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
Decentralized structures for water resourcesmanagement (other than above)
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
12345
12345
Institutional Frameworks
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
1 Under development2 Developed but implementation not yet started3 Implementation started
4 Implementation advanced5 Fully implemented
sanitation drinking water
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-waterexplicitly recognized in policy or law
urban urbanrural rural
sanitation drinking water
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
urban urbanrural rural
No No no response no response
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
70
80
105
130
Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation
Impact for development During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensity in Industry
Value generated by industry per m3 of water (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Access to drinking water and sanitation amp under-5 child mortality (UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
100 180
85 155
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
70
55
Impact for development Water sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
1990 1995 2000 2005 201080 40
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
280
304 Improved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population) Under 5 child mortality rate
Improved drinking water source
60 Accession of the International Covenant on Economic (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
50
40 1990 1995 2000 2005
Value generated by industry in constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value added by industry in million constant 2000 US$
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fifshyteen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popushylation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fashycilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanitashytion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condishytions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
Agriculture net production index and irrigation Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank) potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for development In 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percent of gross domestic product In 2012 women accounted for 54 percent of the economically active population in agriculture The main irrigated crop is rice The scope of intervention in extending irrigation and water storage is currently below what is required to maximize production Irrigation for agriculture is done on a small scale considering the opportunities for expansion in the area of cultivation
150 300
250
200
150
100
646
965
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
209
269 Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
2004
-200
6 =
100 120
9060
40
20
0 30
60
-20
-40
-60 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
National rainfall index variability (percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP (percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
1990 1995 2000 2005
Percentage of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation ()
Agriculture Net Production Index Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Value generated by agriculture in constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Agriculture value added in million constant 2000 US$
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
40
50
60
70
80
Impact for developmentDuring 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensityin Industry
Value added by industryin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by industry per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
Value generated by industryin constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
1990 1995 2000 2005
280
304
Status and Trends
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investmentsbull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanita-tion - large systems as well as in agricultural waterbull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODAbull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
Official development assistance gross disburse-ments during the period 2002 - 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
0
2
4
6
8
0
3
6
9
12
15
1999 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 20102003 2005 2007 2009 2011
Government expenditure during the period2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012(million constant 2010 US$)
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for developmentIn 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percentof gross domestic product In 2012 womenaccounted for 54 percent of the economicallyactive population in agriculture The mainirrigated crop is rice The scope of interventionin extending irrigation and water storage iscurrently below what is required to maximizeproduction Irrigation for agriculture is done ona small scale considering the opportunities forexpansion in the area of cultivation
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
National rainfall index variability(percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP(percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Waterdesalination plants intakes storage treatment pumpingstations conveyance and distribution systems seweragedomestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitationWater supply and sanitation through low-cost technologiessuch as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systemsrainwater collection storage tanks small distributionsystems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septictanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manage-ment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies ground-water water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
Disaster prevention and preparednessFloodprotection and control Disaster risk reduction activitiessuch as developing knowledge natural risks cartographylegal norms for construction early warning systemsemergency contingency stocks and contingency planningincluding preparations for forced displacement Floodsfrom rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion controland sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirshydraulic structures groundwater exploitation foragricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters(rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation ofgroundwater prevention of water contamination fromagrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projectsriver flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding damsprimarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities relatedto river transport
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
200019851980 1990 1995 2005
Agriculture value addedin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by agriculturein constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Agriculture net production index and irrigation potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
100
150
200
250
300
646
965
2004
-200
6 =
100
20001990 1995 2005
Agriculture Net ProductionIndex Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
Percentage of irrigation potentialequipped for irrigation ()
30
60
90
120
150
209
269
Impact for developmentWater sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
Drinking Water Supplyand Sanitation
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fif-teen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popu-lation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fa-cilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
Under 5 child mortality rate (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
Improved drinking water sourceImproved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population)
Access to drinking water and sanitationamp under-5 child mortality(UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
40
55
70
85
100
80
105
130
155
180
Accession of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanita-tion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condi-tions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
Water - related Disasters
Year Number of Events
Deaths Affected Impact for development Pumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Environment and Ecosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
Impact for development According to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
1999 1 53 32 000 2001 1 1 250 2003 1 3 8 019 2004 1 2 6 137 2007 1 0 300 2008 2 0 700 2009 2 5 16 608 2010 2 9 38 961 Note No data on economic damage exists
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
486
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
Impact for development Implementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking Water Governance
Enabling environment for the development management and use of water resources
Institutional Frameworks
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-water explicitly recognized in policy or law
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
1 2 3 4 5 5
4 3 2 1
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
1 Under development 4 Implementation advanced 2 Developed but implementation not yet started 5 Fully implemented 3 Implementation started
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
No No no response no response Decentralized structures for water resources management (other than above)
year
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per yearon water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled intowater supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for anestimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorgWaterCountryBriefshtml
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
Data ConcernsData on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quanti-ty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to govern-ments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimersbull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented hereis an advocacy tool designed to generate debateand attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existingdatabases or was collected from national reportsexperts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize theinformation for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related esti-mates may not include water-related investments thatare counted under other categories of investmentsand some investment categories (ie disaster preven-tion and preparedness) may include some investmentsthat are not directly water-related Moreover waterbeing a crosscutting issue investments in other partsof the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA accordingto the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to governmentexpenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget(1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investmentdata and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
(
(
(
Farafenni
BasseSanta Su
BanjulBankoteh
Brikama
Sandougou
Senegal
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
AtlanticOcean
NORTH BANK
WESTERN
LOWERRIVER
CENTRAL
RIVER
UPPERRIVER
KOMBOSAINTMARY
BANJUL(
(
Gambia
0 20 40 60
Kilometres
l
The designations employed and the presentation of material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoeveron the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations concerning the legal status of any country territory cityor area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
DisclaimerFAO - AQUASTAT 2005
City
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Legend(
GAMBIA
UN-Water Country Brief
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improveshyment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessment
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
Investments Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government exshypenditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross disshybursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
Overall Pressures on water The Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
Assessments Irrigated agriculture During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitation Some 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem health Insufficient data for analysis
Tracking governance Operationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improve-ment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessmentyear
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per year on water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled into water supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567 million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626 percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
InvestmentsOver the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government ex-penditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross dis-bursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
OverallPressures on waterThe Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
AssessmentsIrrigated agricultureDuring 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitationSome 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem healthInsufficient data for analysis
Tracking governanceOperationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
UN-Water Country Brief
Sandougou Gambia
Data Concerns Data on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quantishyty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to governshyments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimers bull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
Atlantic Ocean
BANJULKOMBO SAINT NORTH BANK
Bankoteh
MARY
( Banjul
(
LOWER RIVER
Brikama (
WESTERN
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
FAO - AQUASTAT 2005 GAMBIA
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented here is an advocacy tool designed to generate debate and attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existing databases or was collected from national reports experts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize the information for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related estishymates may not include water-related investments that are counted under other categories of investments and some investment categories (ie disaster prevenshytion and preparedness) may include some investments that are not directly water-related Moreover water being a crosscutting issue investments in other parts of the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA according to the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to government expenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget (1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investment data and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
Senegal
CENTRAL
RIVERFarafenni
(
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorg WaterCountryBriefshtml
l 0 20 40 60
Kilometres
UPPER RIVER
( Basse
Santa Su
Legend City (
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country territory city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
Status and Trends
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investmentsbull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanita-tion - large systems as well as in agricultural waterbull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODAbull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
Official development assistance gross disburse-ments during the period 2002 - 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
0
2
4
6
8
0
3
6
9
12
15
1999 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 20102003 2005 2007 2009 2011
Government expenditure during the period2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012(million constant 2010 US$)
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
Impact for developmentPumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Impact for developmentImplementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking WaterGovernance
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Environment andEcosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
486
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Waterdesalination plants intakes storage treatment pumpingstations conveyance and distribution systems seweragedomestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitationWater supply and sanitation through low-cost technologiessuch as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systemsrainwater collection storage tanks small distributionsystems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septictanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manage-ment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies ground-water water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
Disaster prevention and preparednessFloodprotection and control Disaster risk reduction activitiessuch as developing knowledge natural risks cartographylegal norms for construction early warning systemsemergency contingency stocks and contingency planningincluding preparations for forced displacement Floodsfrom rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion controland sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirshydraulic structures groundwater exploitation foragricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters(rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation ofgroundwater prevention of water contamination fromagrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projectsriver flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding damsprimarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities relatedto river transport
Water - relatedDisasters
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
19992001200320042007200820092010
11111222
531320059
32 000250
8 0196 137
300700
16 60838 961
Year Numberof Events
Deaths Affected
Note No data on economic damage exists
Impact for developmentAccording to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
Enabling environment for the developmentmanagement and use of water resources
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
Decentralized structures for water resourcesmanagement (other than above)
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
12345
12345
Institutional Frameworks
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
1 Under development2 Developed but implementation not yet started3 Implementation started
4 Implementation advanced5 Fully implemented
sanitation drinking water
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-waterexplicitly recognized in policy or law
urban urbanrural rural
sanitation drinking water
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
urban urbanrural rural
No No no response no response
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
70
80
105
130
Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation
Impact for development During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensity in Industry
Value generated by industry per m3 of water (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Access to drinking water and sanitation amp under-5 child mortality (UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
100 180
85 155
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
70
55
Impact for development Water sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
1990 1995 2000 2005 201080 40
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
280
304 Improved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population) Under 5 child mortality rate
Improved drinking water source
60 Accession of the International Covenant on Economic (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
50
40 1990 1995 2000 2005
Value generated by industry in constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value added by industry in million constant 2000 US$
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fifshyteen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popushylation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fashycilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanitashytion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condishytions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
Agriculture net production index and irrigation Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank) potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for development In 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percent of gross domestic product In 2012 women accounted for 54 percent of the economically active population in agriculture The main irrigated crop is rice The scope of intervention in extending irrigation and water storage is currently below what is required to maximize production Irrigation for agriculture is done on a small scale considering the opportunities for expansion in the area of cultivation
150 300
250
200
150
100
646
965
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
209
269 Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
2004
-200
6 =
100 120
9060
40
20
0 30
60
-20
-40
-60 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
National rainfall index variability (percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP (percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
1990 1995 2000 2005
Percentage of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation ()
Agriculture Net Production Index Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Value generated by agriculture in constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Agriculture value added in million constant 2000 US$
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
40
50
60
70
80
Impact for developmentDuring 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensityin Industry
Value added by industryin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by industry per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
Value generated by industryin constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
1990 1995 2000 2005
280
304
Status and Trends
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investmentsbull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanita-tion - large systems as well as in agricultural waterbull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODAbull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
Official development assistance gross disburse-ments during the period 2002 - 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
0
2
4
6
8
0
3
6
9
12
15
1999 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 20102003 2005 2007 2009 2011
Government expenditure during the period2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012(million constant 2010 US$)
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for developmentIn 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percentof gross domestic product In 2012 womenaccounted for 54 percent of the economicallyactive population in agriculture The mainirrigated crop is rice The scope of interventionin extending irrigation and water storage iscurrently below what is required to maximizeproduction Irrigation for agriculture is done ona small scale considering the opportunities forexpansion in the area of cultivation
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
National rainfall index variability(percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP(percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Waterdesalination plants intakes storage treatment pumpingstations conveyance and distribution systems seweragedomestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitationWater supply and sanitation through low-cost technologiessuch as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systemsrainwater collection storage tanks small distributionsystems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septictanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manage-ment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies ground-water water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
Disaster prevention and preparednessFloodprotection and control Disaster risk reduction activitiessuch as developing knowledge natural risks cartographylegal norms for construction early warning systemsemergency contingency stocks and contingency planningincluding preparations for forced displacement Floodsfrom rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion controland sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirshydraulic structures groundwater exploitation foragricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters(rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation ofgroundwater prevention of water contamination fromagrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projectsriver flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding damsprimarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities relatedto river transport
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
200019851980 1990 1995 2005
Agriculture value addedin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by agriculturein constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Agriculture net production index and irrigation potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
100
150
200
250
300
646
965
2004
-200
6 =
100
20001990 1995 2005
Agriculture Net ProductionIndex Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
Percentage of irrigation potentialequipped for irrigation ()
30
60
90
120
150
209
269
Impact for developmentWater sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
Drinking Water Supplyand Sanitation
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fif-teen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popu-lation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fa-cilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
Under 5 child mortality rate (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
Improved drinking water sourceImproved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population)
Access to drinking water and sanitationamp under-5 child mortality(UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
40
55
70
85
100
80
105
130
155
180
Accession of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanita-tion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condi-tions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
Water - related Disasters
Year Number of Events
Deaths Affected Impact for development Pumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Environment and Ecosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
Impact for development According to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
1999 1 53 32 000 2001 1 1 250 2003 1 3 8 019 2004 1 2 6 137 2007 1 0 300 2008 2 0 700 2009 2 5 16 608 2010 2 9 38 961 Note No data on economic damage exists
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
486
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
Impact for development Implementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking Water Governance
Enabling environment for the development management and use of water resources
Institutional Frameworks
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-water explicitly recognized in policy or law
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
1 2 3 4 5 5
4 3 2 1
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
1 Under development 4 Implementation advanced 2 Developed but implementation not yet started 5 Fully implemented 3 Implementation started
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
No No no response no response Decentralized structures for water resources management (other than above)
year
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per yearon water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled intowater supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for anestimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorgWaterCountryBriefshtml
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
Data ConcernsData on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quanti-ty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to govern-ments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimersbull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented hereis an advocacy tool designed to generate debateand attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existingdatabases or was collected from national reportsexperts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize theinformation for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related esti-mates may not include water-related investments thatare counted under other categories of investmentsand some investment categories (ie disaster preven-tion and preparedness) may include some investmentsthat are not directly water-related Moreover waterbeing a crosscutting issue investments in other partsof the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA accordingto the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to governmentexpenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget(1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investmentdata and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
(
(
(
Farafenni
BasseSanta Su
BanjulBankoteh
Brikama
Sandougou
Senegal
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
AtlanticOcean
NORTH BANK
WESTERN
LOWERRIVER
CENTRAL
RIVER
UPPERRIVER
KOMBOSAINTMARY
BANJUL(
(
Gambia
0 20 40 60
Kilometres
l
The designations employed and the presentation of material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoeveron the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations concerning the legal status of any country territory cityor area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
DisclaimerFAO - AQUASTAT 2005
City
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Legend(
GAMBIA
UN-Water Country Brief
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improveshyment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessment
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
Investments Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government exshypenditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross disshybursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
Overall Pressures on water The Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
Assessments Irrigated agriculture During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitation Some 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem health Insufficient data for analysis
Tracking governance Operationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improve-ment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessmentyear
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per year on water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled into water supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567 million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626 percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
InvestmentsOver the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government ex-penditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross dis-bursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
OverallPressures on waterThe Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
AssessmentsIrrigated agricultureDuring 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitationSome 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem healthInsufficient data for analysis
Tracking governanceOperationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
UN-Water Country Brief
Sandougou Gambia
Data Concerns Data on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quantishyty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to governshyments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimers bull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
Atlantic Ocean
BANJULKOMBO SAINT NORTH BANK
Bankoteh
MARY
( Banjul
(
LOWER RIVER
Brikama (
WESTERN
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
FAO - AQUASTAT 2005 GAMBIA
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented here is an advocacy tool designed to generate debate and attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existing databases or was collected from national reports experts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize the information for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related estishymates may not include water-related investments that are counted under other categories of investments and some investment categories (ie disaster prevenshytion and preparedness) may include some investments that are not directly water-related Moreover water being a crosscutting issue investments in other parts of the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA according to the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to government expenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget (1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investment data and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
Senegal
CENTRAL
RIVERFarafenni
(
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorg WaterCountryBriefshtml
l 0 20 40 60
Kilometres
UPPER RIVER
( Basse
Santa Su
Legend City (
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country territory city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
40
50
60
70
80
Impact for developmentDuring 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually There is no significant conflict between the industry and other water users since there is a sufficient quantity of water available at this point
Water Intensityin Industry
Value added by industryin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by industry per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
Value generated by industryin constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
1990 1995 2000 2005
280
304
Status and Trends
Water-related government investments during the period 1999 to 2012bull Water supply and sanitation - large systems received the highest amount overall and in most years A peak occurred in 2002 when it received over 98 percent of water-related investmentsbull A downward trend in the governments water-related investments started in 2002 before increasing again in 2008 driven by investments in water supply and sanita-tion - large systems as well as in agricultural waterbull There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories
Water-related official development assistance during the period 2002 to 2011bull Overall water-related ODA disbursements increased notably from 2006 onwards with a dip in 2011bull From 2004 to 2008 ODA disbursements were mainly concentrated on basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation accounting for 36 percent (2006) to 100 percent (2002) of all reported water-related ODAbull Water supply and sanitation ndash large systems received increased ODA disbursements from 2005 onwards with two peaks in 2006 and 2008 when it received 36 and 40 percent respectively of all water-related ODA disbursements
Actual expenditure refers to the amount spent by the government during a given year Where actual expenditure data is not available the government budget is used and refers to the amount that the government reportedly budgeted for the given year The OECD Creditor Reporting System categories were chosen for the collection of these water-related investments and the data was obtained by the WCB project through in-country research in cooperation with the government (during 2012) while ODA data stems from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (collected December 2012)
Official development assistance gross disburse-ments during the period 2002 - 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
0
2
4
6
8
0
3
6
9
12
15
1999 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 20102003 2005 2007 2009 2011
Government expenditure during the period2006 ndash 2010 and budget during the period1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012(million constant 2010 US$)
Mill
ion
cons
tant
201
0 U
S$
A well coordinated expansion of irrigated areas will increase productivity food security and raise farmers income The assessment of different irrigation schemes indicate that tidal irrigation is more cost effective than pump irrigation However salt intrusion from the ocean to the River Gambia is threatening tidal irrigation
Disputes over land ownership and competition among different water users pose an additional challenge
During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Irrigated Agriculture
Impact for developmentIn 2011 agriculture accounted for 19 percentof gross domestic product In 2012 womenaccounted for 54 percent of the economicallyactive population in agriculture The mainirrigated crop is rice The scope of interventionin extending irrigation and water storage iscurrently below what is required to maximizeproduction Irrigation for agriculture is done ona small scale considering the opportunities forexpansion in the area of cultivation
Agricultural farming in the Gambia is characterized by subsistence rainfed production depending on the distribution and amount of rainfall
Rainfall variability and agricultural GDP(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
National rainfall index variability(percentage of deviation from average national
rainfall index)
Variability in agricultural GDP(percentage of deviation from trend of agricultural goods
produced per km2 of agricultural land)
1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
Water supply and sanitation in large systems Waterdesalination plants intakes storage treatment pumpingstations conveyance and distribution systems seweragedomestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants
Basic drinking water supply and basic sanitationWater supply and sanitation through low-cost technologiessuch as hand-pumps spring catchment gravity-fed systemsrainwater collection storage tanks small distributionsystems latrines small-bore sewers on-site disposal (septictanks)
Water resources policy and administrative manage-ment Water sector policy planning and programmes water legislation and management institution capacity building and advice water supply assessments and studies ground-water water quality and watershed studies hydrogeology Excluding agricultural water resources
Disaster prevention and preparednessFloodprotection and control Disaster risk reduction activitiessuch as developing knowledge natural risks cartographylegal norms for construction early warning systemsemergency contingency stocks and contingency planningincluding preparations for forced displacement Floodsfrom rivers or the sea including sea water intrusion controland sea level rise related activities
Agricultural water resources Irrigation reservoirshydraulic structures groundwater exploitation foragricultural use
Water resources protection Inland surface waters(rivers lakes etc) conservation and rehabilitation ofgroundwater prevention of water contamination fromagrochemicals industrial effluents
River development Integrated river basin projectsriver flow control dams and reservoirs Excluding damsprimarily for irrigation and hydropower and activities relatedto river transport
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
mill
ion
cons
tant
200
0 U
S$
200019851980 1990 1995 2005
Agriculture value addedin million constant 2000 US$
Value generated by agriculturein constant 2000 US$ per m3 of water
Value generated by agriculture per m3 of water(FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
Agriculture net production index and irrigation potential equiped for irrigation (FAO AQUASTAT World Bank)
100
150
200
250
300
646
965
2004
-200
6 =
100
20001990 1995 2005
Agriculture Net ProductionIndex Number (2004-2006 = 100) Int$
Percentage of irrigation potentialequipped for irrigation ()
30
60
90
120
150
209
269
Impact for developmentWater sanitation and hygiene factors were responsible for over 2 400 deaths in 2004 which accounted for 135 percent of all deaths in the Gambia A 2012 UNICEFWHO analysis of data from 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa representing 48 percent of the regionrsquos population revealed that women and girls bear primary responsibility for water collection at considerable cost in terms of their time In these 25 countries it is estimated that women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water men spend 6 million hours and children 4 million hours
Drinking Water Supplyand Sanitation
There was an overall increase of 15 percent from 1992 to 2010 in the use of improved drinking water sources Fif-teen percent of the rural and 8 percent of the urban popu-lation remained in 2010 without an improved drinking water source Trends in the use of improved sanitation fa-cilities have lagged in comparison Thirty-two percent of
Under 5 child mortality rate (probability of dying by age 5 per 1000 live births)
Improved drinking water sourceImproved sanitation facilities (both indicators above in of total population)
Access to drinking water and sanitationamp under-5 child mortality(UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) and WHOUNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme)
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
per 1
000
live
birt
hs
40
55
70
85
100
80
105
130
155
180
Accession of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
29 December 1978
(The right to water is implicit within the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health outlined in the ICESCR)
the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010 Rural areas still lag behind urban areas in the percentage of the population using improved sanita-tion facilities
Surface water is rarely used as a source of potable water in the Gambia because of the continuously saline condi-tions which exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The potable water for urban areas tourism industry irrigation and livestock watering is supplied by groundwater sources
Stak
ehol
der P
artic
ipat
ion
Capacity Building
Water - related Disasters
Year Number of Events
Deaths Affected Impact for development Pumping irrigation water from the River Gambia has a potentially negative impact on the salt front in the river and thus on the environment overall It has been estimated that if 1 m3s is pumped from the Upper River during the dry season the salt front can move up to 4 km upstream To avoid an increase in salinity the safe limit for irrigation from the River Gambia without major dam construction was estimated to be a maximum of 2 400 hectares in the dry season Deforestation is a problem due to the high and ever-increasing demand for fuel wood Wastewater treatment ponds are deemed to be small and insufficient to handle the discharge volumes received The need for bigger chambers and ponds remains a serious challenge to meet demand Industrial and domestic effluents are discharged without treatment which can cause pollution of the receiving water bodies namely the groundwater
Environment and Ecosystem Health
Water quality index 2010
Impact for development According to the UNISDRrsquos risk profile for the Gambia 011 percent of the population and 021 percent of its GDP is exposed to floods A total of seven floods have been reported over the last 15 years resulting in 68 deaths and over 85 000 affected people Four storms have occurred over the same period leading to 5 deaths and over 16 000 people affected The Gambiarsquos low elevation topography puts some of its areas at significant risk from sea level rise according to the 2007 Gambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) on Climate Change
1999 1 53 32 000 2001 1 1 250 2003 1 3 8 019 2004 1 2 6 137 2007 1 0 300 2008 2 0 700 2009 2 5 16 608 2010 2 9 38 961 Note No data on economic damage exists
EM-DAT the OFDACRED International Disaster Database
lsquoWater-related disastersrsquo within the scope of this WCB study do not include droughts
Only years for which data is available are listed
(YCELPCIESINColumbia University WEF JRCEuropean Commission)
486
A score of 100 indicates optimal performance
Impact for development Implementation of the first National Water Policy approved by the cabinet in 2007 ensures the application of the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Furthermore strengthening the capacities of water institutions and reforming the legislature to respond to the needs are some of the challenges the Gambia faces Other challenges include shortage of human capacity to implement the IWRM approach to assess water resources as well as to manage hydro-meteorological data and information systems There is also a shortage of equipment and facilities for data collection processing and dissemination
Tracking Water Governance
Enabling environment for the development management and use of water resources
Institutional Frameworks
UN-Water survey on integrated approaches in the development management and use of water resources governance 2012 (UN-Water)
Is the right to sanitationdrinking-water explicitly recognized in policy or law
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
Progressing with some
elements in place
Progressing with some
elements in place
Not yet developed
Not yet developed
Infr
astr
uctu
re d
evel
opm
ent f
orth
e de
velo
pmen
t m
anag
emen
tan
d us
e of
wat
er re
sour
ces
Gov
erna
nce
syst
ems
for t
he d
evel
opm
ent
man
agem
ent a
nd u
seof
wat
er re
sour
ces
1 2 3 4 5 5
4 3 2 1
UN-Water GLAAS (WHO 2012)
1 Under development 4 Implementation advanced 2 Developed but implementation not yet started 5 Fully implemented 3 Implementation started
There are a number of institutions involved in water management in the Gambia For example to protect and manage ecosystems the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Forestry play a role The Department of Water Resources and the National Water and Electricity Company are involved in water quality monitoring Policy guidance and technical support for water management in agriculture is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Can people claim their human right to sanitation or drinking-water in a domestic court
sanitation drinking water
urban urban rural rural
No No no response no response Decentralized structures for water resources management (other than above)
year
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per yearon water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled intowater supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for anestimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorgWaterCountryBriefshtml
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
Data ConcernsData on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quanti-ty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to govern-ments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimersbull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented hereis an advocacy tool designed to generate debateand attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existingdatabases or was collected from national reportsexperts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize theinformation for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related esti-mates may not include water-related investments thatare counted under other categories of investmentsand some investment categories (ie disaster preven-tion and preparedness) may include some investmentsthat are not directly water-related Moreover waterbeing a crosscutting issue investments in other partsof the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA accordingto the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to governmentexpenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget(1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investmentdata and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
(
(
(
Farafenni
BasseSanta Su
BanjulBankoteh
Brikama
Sandougou
Senegal
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
AtlanticOcean
NORTH BANK
WESTERN
LOWERRIVER
CENTRAL
RIVER
UPPERRIVER
KOMBOSAINTMARY
BANJUL(
(
Gambia
0 20 40 60
Kilometres
l
The designations employed and the presentation of material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoeveron the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations concerning the legal status of any country territory cityor area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
DisclaimerFAO - AQUASTAT 2005
City
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Legend(
GAMBIA
UN-Water Country Brief
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improveshyment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessment
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
Investments Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government exshypenditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross disshybursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
Overall Pressures on water The Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
Assessments Irrigated agriculture During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitation Some 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem health Insufficient data for analysis
Tracking governance Operationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improve-ment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessmentyear
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per year on water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled into water supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567 million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626 percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
InvestmentsOver the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government ex-penditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross dis-bursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
OverallPressures on waterThe Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
AssessmentsIrrigated agricultureDuring 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitationSome 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem healthInsufficient data for analysis
Tracking governanceOperationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
UN-Water Country Brief
Sandougou Gambia
Data Concerns Data on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quantishyty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to governshyments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimers bull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
Atlantic Ocean
BANJULKOMBO SAINT NORTH BANK
Bankoteh
MARY
( Banjul
(
LOWER RIVER
Brikama (
WESTERN
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
FAO - AQUASTAT 2005 GAMBIA
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented here is an advocacy tool designed to generate debate and attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existing databases or was collected from national reports experts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize the information for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related estishymates may not include water-related investments that are counted under other categories of investments and some investment categories (ie disaster prevenshytion and preparedness) may include some investments that are not directly water-related Moreover water being a crosscutting issue investments in other parts of the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA according to the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to government expenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget (1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investment data and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
Senegal
CENTRAL
RIVERFarafenni
(
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorg WaterCountryBriefshtml
l 0 20 40 60
Kilometres
UPPER RIVER
( Basse
Santa Su
Legend City (
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country territory city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
year
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per yearon water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled intowater supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for anestimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorgWaterCountryBriefshtml
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
Data ConcernsData on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quanti-ty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to govern-ments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimersbull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented hereis an advocacy tool designed to generate debateand attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existingdatabases or was collected from national reportsexperts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize theinformation for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related esti-mates may not include water-related investments thatare counted under other categories of investmentsand some investment categories (ie disaster preven-tion and preparedness) may include some investmentsthat are not directly water-related Moreover waterbeing a crosscutting issue investments in other partsof the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA accordingto the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to governmentexpenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget(1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investmentdata and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
(
(
(
Farafenni
BasseSanta Su
BanjulBankoteh
Brikama
Sandougou
Senegal
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
AtlanticOcean
NORTH BANK
WESTERN
LOWERRIVER
CENTRAL
RIVER
UPPERRIVER
KOMBOSAINTMARY
BANJUL(
(
Gambia
0 20 40 60
Kilometres
l
The designations employed and the presentation of material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoeveron the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations concerning the legal status of any country territory cityor area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
DisclaimerFAO - AQUASTAT 2005
City
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Legend(
GAMBIA
UN-Water Country Brief
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improveshyment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessment
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
Investments Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government exshypenditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross disshybursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
Overall Pressures on water The Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
Assessments Irrigated agriculture During 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitation Some 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem health Insufficient data for analysis
Tracking governance Operationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improve-ment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessmentyear
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per year on water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled into water supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567 million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626 percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
InvestmentsOver the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government ex-penditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross dis-bursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
OverallPressures on waterThe Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
AssessmentsIrrigated agricultureDuring 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitationSome 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem healthInsufficient data for analysis
Tracking governanceOperationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
UN-Water Country Brief
Sandougou Gambia
Data Concerns Data on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quantishyty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to governshyments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimers bull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
Atlantic Ocean
BANJULKOMBO SAINT NORTH BANK
Bankoteh
MARY
( Banjul
(
LOWER RIVER
Brikama (
WESTERN
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
FAO - AQUASTAT 2005 GAMBIA
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented here is an advocacy tool designed to generate debate and attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existing databases or was collected from national reports experts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize the information for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related estishymates may not include water-related investments that are counted under other categories of investments and some investment categories (ie disaster prevenshytion and preparedness) may include some investments that are not directly water-related Moreover water being a crosscutting issue investments in other parts of the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA according to the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to government expenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget (1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investment data and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
Senegal
CENTRAL
RIVERFarafenni
(
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorg WaterCountryBriefshtml
l 0 20 40 60
Kilometres
UPPER RIVER
( Basse
Santa Su
Legend City (
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country territory city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries
Legend The rapid assessment of the situation above based on available data was established in conjunction with in-country experts and officials It provides an overview of trends according to the following
trends are of significant concern
trends are of concern
trends are stable or progressing on certain issues but not on others
trends show some measure of improvement in all relevant indicators assessed
trends show significant improve-ment and there is no concern
insufficient data
Rapid Assessmentyear
The Money StreamFrom 2002 to 2011 the government has invested US$ 170 million (in constant 2010 US$) on average per year on water-related infrastructure and programmes Governmentrsquos investments were primarily channeled into water supply and sanitation on large systems (614 percent) and agricultural water resources (213 percent)
During the same period official development assistance (ODA) gross disbursements amounted to US$ 567 million on average per year channeling its disbursements mainly into water supply and sanitation (626 percent) and water resources policy and administrative management (148 percent)
Over the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government expenditure
Accurate assessments of progress require relevant accurate and timely data The above data quality assessment ranges from
very poor very good
InvestmentsOver the period 1999 to 2011 the Government of the Gambiarsquos water-related investments accounted for an estimated 21 percent of total government ex-penditure Government investments were essentially targeting water supply and sanitation ndash large systems and agricultural water resources There are several years for which data is not available in most of the water-related investment categories ODA gross dis-bursements were mainly directed at basic drinking water supply and basic sanitation and water supply and sanitation - large systems
OverallPressures on waterThe Gambia River is a transboundary river shared with three other countries Guinea Bissau Guinea and Senegal The entire territory of the Gambia lies within the Gambia River Basin Continuously saline conditions exist in the lower reaches of the River Gambia and its tributaries where the population centers and tourism facilities are located The key priorities for water in the Gambia are operationalization of the National Water Policy to ensure IWRM strengthening of the human and infrastructure capacities of sector institutions improvement of groundwater management (the main source of domestic water supply throughout the country) and empowerment of communities to participate effectively in water management Existing legislation is not in harmony with the new policy and sector institutions are not structured and organized to implement an integrated approach to water management
21
183 million inhabitants
11 300 km2
162 inhabitantskm2
0439165
0594
135
836 mmyear
8 000 million m3year
4 384 m3inhabitant
13
5 000 ha
1
6
3 sites
31 244 hectares
Total population (UN Population Division)
Total area
Population density
Human Development Index (UNDP)
(between 0 and 1 1 is highest)Country rank (total 186 countries 1 is highest)Gender Inequality Index (0 is equality between women and men 1 is least equality)
Water sanitation and hygiene-related deaths of total deaths (WHO)
Long-term average annual precipitation (CRU CL 20)
Long-term average actual renewable water resources (FAO AQUASTAT)
Actual annual renewable water resources per capita (FAO AQUASTAT)
of total actual renewable freshwater resources withdrawn (MDG Water Indicator) (FAO AQUASTAT)
Total area equipped for irrigation (FAO FAOSTAT)
of the cultivated area equipped for irrigation(FAO FAOSTAT and AQUASTAT)
of irrigation potential equipped for irrigation(FAO AQUASTAT)
Ramsar sites (Ramsar) ndash number ndash total area
2012
2011
2012
2012
2004
2011
2011
2012
2005
2011
2011
2011
2013
Estimated of water-related investment to total government expenditure (1999 to 2011)
Water withdrawals by sector(total 102 million m3 in 2005)
40 Municipal
Annual average official development assistance gross disbursements during the period 2002 ndash 2011(million constant 2010 US$)
Annual average government expenditure during the period2006 - 2010 and budget during the period 2002 - 2005 and 2011
(million constant 2010 US$)
105036009007006005002
130051001014225062084
total annual average total annual average170 567
Disaster prevention and prepared-nessflood protection and control
614213
5541362813___
100
22990
0225
397109
148___100
Data Quality
Accurate up-to-date figures on irrigated areas are not available
Limited data on drinking water quality is available
Data is not readily available
Limited data available for analysis
Insufficient data for analysis
The Gambia has participated in the UN-Water questionnaire on Integrated Approaches in the Development Management and Use of Water Resources
AssessmentsIrrigated agricultureDuring 1982 to 2000 the value generated by agriculture per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually By developing tidal irrigation where appropriate and improving cultivation practices the Gambia could increase output
Drinking water supply and sanitationSome 11 percent of the total population remained without improved water sources most predominantly in rural areas Thirty-two percent of the total population did not use an improved sanitation facility in 2010
Water intensity in industry During 2000 to 2005 the value generated by industry per m3 of water increased by 2 percent annually
Water-related disasters The Gambias National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is quite detailed and most of the priorities identified are targeted by priority projects Such projects are however limited resulting in the fact that a number of key vulnerable sectors including energy human health gender and forestry have not been addressed
Environment and ecosystem healthInsufficient data for analysis
Tracking governanceOperationalization of the National Water Policy legislative reform and shortage of data collection processing and dissemination are among the key challenges
the Gambia
Industrial
Agricultural
2139
UN-Water Country Brief
Sandougou Gambia
Data Concerns Data on the status and pressures of water bodies is an essential decision-making tool for the rational management of water resources At present the monitoring capacity in the Gambia is clearly insufficient to give reliable data both on water quantishyty and quality The lack of reliable data would cause challenges with regard to a proper management of water resources eg prioritization of actions and investments and may complicate the introduction of integrated water management principles Assessment of the anthropogenic pressures on water is lacking as is data on the quality of water resources
Investments in coordinated data collection collation analysis and dissemination is vital to demonstrate the benefits of water-related investments to governshyments donors and also private investors
It is to be noted that it is virtually impossible to find national-level gender-disaggregated data for almost all themes contained in the UN-Water Country Briefs
Disclaimers bull The most recent and updated information can be found in the original databases cited throughout
Atlantic Ocean
BANJULKOMBO SAINT NORTH BANK
Bankoteh
MARY
( Banjul
(
LOWER RIVER
Brikama (
WESTERN
Senegal
Guinea Bissau
FAO - AQUASTAT 2005 GAMBIA
bull The rapid assessment methodology presented here is an advocacy tool designed to generate debate and attention to the issues and is developed in conjunction with national government focal points
bull Data presented herein stems either from existing databases or was collected from national reports experts and institutions and in some cases raw data underwent various manipulations to categorize the information for this presentation
bull Due to data limitations the investment-related estishymates may not include water-related investments that are counted under other categories of investments and some investment categories (ie disaster prevenshytion and preparedness) may include some investments that are not directly water-related Moreover water being a crosscutting issue investments in other parts of the government (not calculated here) may also benefit water management
bull The words investments invested funded for ODA refer to gross disbursements of ODA according to the OECD definitions The words investments invested funded for government refer to government expenditure (2006 ndash 2010) and government budget (1999 - 2005 2011 amp 2012) In addition investment data and analysis do not include any other forms of investment (such as private sector investments)
Senegal
CENTRAL
RIVERFarafenni
(
This project was implemented by the AQUASTAT Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water with financial support from United States Department of State (USDS) Brief produced 21 June 2013
Additional information on the project data and methodologies can be accessed at
httpwwwunwaterorg WaterCountryBriefshtml
l 0 20 40 60
Kilometres
UPPER RIVER
( Basse
Santa Su
Legend City (
River
Water Body
Administrative Boundary
International Boundary
Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country territory city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries