Locations
Introduction
Libya faces a severe water crisis across its vast desert territory, with only coastal areas benefiting from limited rainfall. The demographic distribution exacerbates the issue, with most people concentrated in areas with better access to water. Recurring droughts worsen the scarcity, posing threats to both the economy and social stability. Groundwater is the primary water source, with agriculture sector as major consumer, followed by urban residential, commerce and industrial sectors. Further to Libya being among the top 10 world water-stressed countries, the projections indicate a significant water deficit by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water management strategies.
Objectives
- The project objective is to assist the Libyan government in implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach to improve its existing capacities to enhance water security and water-energy nexus. Libya will benefit from an IWRM framework based upon enhanced climate-informed water governance and institutional framework, improved management of water infrastructure and concrete IWRM interventions at the national and local community levels.
- The project is structured around three main outputs seeking to:
- Strengthen national water governance and institutional frameworks by fostering collaboration among stakeholders, institutional capacity development, and integrating the water-energy nexus and climate change into decision-making processes to promote sustainability
- Improve the national water infrastructure through development and implementation of a comprehensive management strategy, taking into account synergies between the water-energy nexus and climate change and prioritizing operational and maintenance efficiency and
- Empower local communities for water security by implementing strategies and promoting public awareness of sustainable water usage practices, tailored to geographical and resource variations .
- Together, these outputs aim to establish a resilient, well-informed, and proactive approach to water management in Libya. This approach addresses both immediate and long-term needs while adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.
Key achievements
- Completed the 2023 Libya Daniel Storm and Flooding Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Damage Assessment Report and Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Strategy, marking a key milestone in the collaborative response to the Derna floods and setting a clear framework for resilient recovery and infrastructure repair.
- Officially launched and endorsed the 2026–2050 National Water Security Strategy, developed in close collaboration with the National Water Sector Committee, the Ministry of Planning, and the Government of Italy. Transitioning from its developmental phase, this landmark strategy now provides a comprehensive national framework to combat severe water scarcity through sustainable resource management, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term climate resilience.
- Advancing the Roadmap for Smart Digital Transformation of the Man-made River Project (MMRA) water supply system, aiming to integrate modern technologies—such as telemetry, SCADA, and digital analytics—to proactively manage system inefficiencies, pipeline losses, and drought responses.
- Conducting the Assessment of the Land Subsidence Phenomena in the MMRA Tazerbo Water Wellfields, evaluating the environmental and structural impacts of groundwater depletion to protect the integrity of Libya's critical water infrastructure.
- Progressing the "Building climate resilience of water-stressed local communities in Libya" initiative (Output 3), moving from desktop assessments of community dynamics over water access to active field surveys and ground-truthing to ensure equitable resource distribution.
- Continuing the Evaluation of the Existing Cathodic Protection System for the MMRA Water Supply Pre-stressed Concrete Pipeline (PSCP) Watermains, a vital step in maintaining and extending the lifespan of the country's core water transport network.
