SAREP to open branch in Maun

Patricia Edwin
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 6, 2011 00:00

 

SAREP Communications and Outreach Specialist, Geof Khwarae, says SAREP is jointly sponsored by USAID and SADC under the SADC-USAID framework of agreement to promote and support the sustainable management of the Okavango river basin.

'SAREP is a three to five-year USAID funded programme implemented by Chemonics in partnership with NGOs in Botswana, Namibia and Angola such as Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS), Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and ACADIR,' said Khwarae. 'SAREP is jointly sponsored by USAID and SADC.'

The organisation is working in partnership with the Okavango River Basin Commission (OKACOM), SADC and other agencies to address ecosystem services and shared river basin issues, Khwarae explained:

'SAREP is building on successes in partnership with OKACOM, SADC and other agencies while integrating assistance to improve regional cooperation in management of shared river basins through implementing strategies and activities that address threats to ecosystem services and biodiversity within shared river basins, improve access to water supply and sanitation services and to strengthen regional capacity to respond to effects of climate change.'

He added that the programme would be based in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. 'Maun is the main administrative centre in the basin and therefore presents itself as the most suitable for the technical operation office to be located,' he said. 'The administrative office is based in Gaborone.'   

'SAREP is implementing a lot of activities at community level through its partner organisation, KCS,' he went on.

'Activities around CBNRM where communities will be facilitated to identify natural resources in and around their area will be rolled out through planning, development and implementation of participatory integrated land use management plans.'  

Khwarae added that communities would be clustered around major villages such as Maun, Gumare, Shakawe and Seronga and a community facilitator would be employed to lead a participatory process involving close collaboration with government institutions and community-based organisations.

SAREP is to have satellite offices in Gumare, Shakawe and Seronga. 'These offices will be managed by community facilitators who will be on the ground 24/7 to work with the community in the implementation of the community land use plans,' Khwarae said.