Cooperating countries: Ethiopia, Austria

Coordinating institution: Graz University of Technology

Project coordinator: Prof. Martin Dietzel

Partner institution: Mekelle University

Project duration: 01.10.2026-30.09.2028

Budget: 39.870,00 €

The armed conflict in Tigray region of Ethiopia (2020-2022) resulted in one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history in the region. The WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) sector is among the most impacted by this crises whereby people have been trying to survive through several mechanisms, including use/reuse of any water sources (wells, streams/rivers, ponds, springs, and even storm runoff) for domestic and agricultural practices. Such practices have been promoted without understanding the quality and suitability of the different water sources and their implications for public health. A typical example of urban centers facing such challenges in Tigray region, focus of this study, is the “Shire Endaselassie town” which is hosting internally displaced people (IDPs) numbers more than its residents. The objectives of this project are, therefore, to: (i) assess the existing situations of water, sanitation and (re)use practices in the study town, (ii) evaluate the quality and suitability of the various urban water sources for different purposes (domestic, irrigation, livestock, industry), and (iii) recommend approaches for their safe (re)use. Our proposed project follows a multi-disciplinary and action-oriented approach combining: (a) document review and synthesis, (b) geohydrological and water resources mapping/evaluations, (c) water and wastewater quality analysis/evaluations, and (d) suitability evaluations for different uses and potential water treatment action. This project will: (i) provide evidence to the on-going WASH related humanitarian activities (water supply, urban agriculture, human health), and (ii) pave a way for strengthening further collaborations between Austrian and southern partners, and promote urban water management, livelihood improvements, and human health.