$1m ADB aid in support of Thai water management
THE THAI government is set to receive a US$1 million (Bt35 milion) technical assistance to help improve the country’s overall water resource management efficiency, starting from river basin level, as well as strengthen capacity development for river basin integrated planning in the country.
The grant, provided by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) and administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will be implemented over a period of one|and a half years, starting in November 2016. The project is aligned with the recently approved national water resource management strategic plan of the Thai government, with the Department of Water Resource under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment acting as the executing agency.
The project will develop simulation tool for base-integrated water resource management (IWRM) at the river basin level. The IWRM modeling tool is a computer-based hydrological model that enables users to test the hydrological impact of different water resources management approaches in a river basin.
“Under the ADB policy on water sector, the bank recognises that IWRM, based on river basin, is essen?tial in having a participatory and inclusive management model,” said Luxmon Attapich, senior country economist at ADB’s Thailand Resident Mission. “Through the base IWRM model, demonstration of the possible impacts of different water management scenarios can help the stake holders reach agreement on how to manage river basins and sub-basins to minimise the risk of future floods and improve the livelihoods of communities.”
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB in December 2016 will mark 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. |In 2015, ADB assistance totaled $27.2 billion, including cofinancing of $10.7 billion.
