WEAP routine for sub-basin calculation of water stress in Algeria and Tunisia

Historically, progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.4.2, which addresses water stress, has been calculated at the country level, primarily by the United Nations’ FAO. The calculations are based on publicly available data, with countries reviewing and accepting or challenging the calculation.

FAO commissioned SEI to:

• develop a routine within WEAP software to calculate SDG 6.4.2, disaggregated by sub-basin, along with a user manual for the new routine in English, French and Spanish;
• deliver an online training course, in French, on the use of WEAP for SDG 6.4.2 for Algerian and Tunisian water resources managers and researchers, focused on implementation of SDG 6.4.2 on the sub-basins of the Medjerda River basin; and
• finalize a comprehensive training package in French, English and Spanish, refining the training modules used in this pilot exercise.

Disaggregation of this indicator, led by country-level technicians, will offer better insights on the spatial and temporal aspects of water stress and will increase local ownership and participation in evaluating and developing strategies to decrease water stress.