INTEWAR - Innovative Technologien zur Eindämmung wasserassoziierter Krankheiten; Schlussbericht des Teilvorhabens "Konzeptentwicklung zum Katastrophenrisikomanagement für die Szenarien Hochwasser und Dürre in urbanen und periurbanen Regionen in Kamerun"

Abstract

Untersuchungen zur Verbesserung der Katastrophenprävention und Vorsorge zur Erhöhung der Resilienz der lokalen Bevölkerung gegenüber den Extremereignissen Überflutungen und Dürre wurden im Rahmen des Verbundprojektes Innovative Technologien zur Eindämmung wasserassoziierter Krankheiten (INTEWAR) durchgeführt. Diese Arbeiten und Ergebnisse sind Bestandteil des Teilvorhabens Konzeptentwicklung zum Katastrophenrisikomanagement für die Szenarien Hochwasser und Dürre in urbanen und periurbanen Regionen in Kamerun. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt wurde auf die Entwicklung und Implementierung eines klimaresilienten Notwasserkonzeptes gelegt, mit dem während und nach Katastrophenereignissen die Bevölkerung durch dezentrale Trinkwasseraufbereitungsanlagen mit Trinkwasser versorgt werden soll und somit zu einer Reduzierung der Ausbreitung wasserassoziierter Krankheiten beiträgt. Hierzu wurden auch Hochwassergefahren- und Hochwasserrisikokarten für drei ausgewählte Untersuchungsgebiete erstellt und begleitende Sensibilisierungs- und Schulungsmaßnahmen zu Katastrophenrisiken, technischem Hochwasserschutz und Wasserversorgung, Sanitärversorgung und Hygiene (WASH) durchgeführt. Zur Verstetigung der Ergebnisse und zur weiteren Verbreitung wurden Handreichungen, Schulungsmaterialien, eine Wasserfinder App und ein Projektfilm erstellt. Um die Ver- und Ausbreitung wasserassoziierter Krankheiten auf unterschiedlichen Ebenen einzudämmen wurde außerdem in einem gekoppelten Abwasser-Abfall-Konzept eine Pilotanlage zur dezentralen Abwasserbehandlung im Katastrophenfall in Betrieb genommen und unter lokalen Bedingungen getestet. Die in Zusammenarbeit mit den lokalen Projektpartnern aus Verwaltung, Wissenschaft und Zivilgesellschaft erzielten Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die entwickelten Konzepte zu einer Verbesserung des Katastrophenrisikomanagements in den Pilotgebieten beitragen können. Durch eine breitere Anwendung der Konzepte und Technologien könnte eine flächendeckende Verbesserung der Notwasserversorgungssituation erzielt werden.

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Cameroon is facing more frequent and more severe extreme weather events due to climate change. Floods and droughts are becoming more frequent and the lack of clean drinking water is a particularly acute problem. Damaged or contaminated wells and inadequate water supply infrastructure exacerbate the situation, contributing to unhealthy conditions and the potential spread of diseases such as typhoid and cholera. Current emergency plans are often inadequate as they do not take into account the specific circumstances of different scenarios. These challenges emphasize the importance of robust contingency plans to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The INTEWAR project (Innovative Technologies for Controlling Water-Associated Diseases), coordinated by the Research Institute for Water Management and Climate Future at RWTH Aachen (FiW) e. V. and the University Yaoundé I aim to address these challenges by improving the resilience of the population and local authorities to flood and drought scenarios. Supported by the German government's "Research for Civil Security" program, this three-year project focuses on integrating innovative technologies and local expertise to create sustainable water management solutions. The development of the emergency water supply concept within the INTEWAR project incorporated field visits in the chosen pilot areas Douala, Soa and Yaundé, facing different hazards scenarios, guided interviews, and participatory workshops with different stakeholders, providing comprehensive insights into local needs and challenges in disaster management and emergency water supply. Collaboration with various stakeholders in Cameroon, including ministries, research institutions, academia, NGOs, and the local community ensures that expertise, technologies, and findings from German security research are effectively adapted and transferred to meet local needs. Germany's drinking water supply is highly stable and reliable due to a robust legal framework but faces challenges from climate change and extreme weather events. To enhance emergency preparedness, Germany has established various legal and organizational frameworks involving municipalities, water companies, health departments, and disaster management authorities. These frameworks support the continuous supply and health protection even if regular standards are not fully met during emergencies, and serves as a template for the development of an interdisciplinary emergency water supply concept that is adapted to local conditions in Cameroon. Emergency water supply planning is an integral part of disaster management, which is essential not only for meeting immediate needs, but also as a preventative measure and for the time after the event. The involvement of those affected and the allocation of responsibilities and resources are crucial to ensure an efficient response to emergency situations and to be sustainable. A comprehensive risk analysis that assesses the potential hazards and vulnerabilities of water supply systems forms the backbone of these strategies. The effective involvement of local, state and federal stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and the community is critical to the successful development and implementation of water emergency plans. The project's results highlight several critical aspects for effective disaster management and emergency water-supply. Rapid provision of clean drinking water during emergencies emerged as a major challenge. Effective communication strategies for coordination among community, health facilities and authorities, proved vital. Community involvement was identified as essential, with strong neighborhood solidarity observed during times of crisis. Participatory workshops provided new insights on the ground. A seven-step emergency water manual was used in an emergency water-supply workshop, to calculate water needs, identify vulnerable infrastructure, assess water sources, and plan resources. The results underscore the importance of holistic approaches that include not only disaster management but also relevant issues such as operator concepts and WASH practices. Community involvement emerged as an indispensable factor, not only for promoting preventive measures but also for ensuring the successful management of post-event challenges. The adapted emergency water concept opens up new possibilities for dealing with extreme situations in Cameroon. Challenges such as the rapid provision of safe drinking water and the management of health problems provide clear starting points for further optimized emergency water concepts. Emphasis on practical exercises in future workshops and continued collaboration with various stakeholders and the community are key to the sustainable success of such initiatives. By fostering collaboration and integrating local knowledge with international expertise, the INTEWAR project aims to improve the resilience and health of Cameroonian communities, serving as a model for similar initiatives in other regions facing comparable challenges.