Dec. 21, 2010 -- Mott MacDonald has been appointed by Millennium Challenge Account on behalf of the Government of Moldova to provide technical assistance for the Irrigation Sector Reform Activity (ISRA) to improve Moldova's overall capacity to manage limited water resources amid increasing water demand.
A 2009 United Nations Development Programme report suggests that climate change could decrease by 16-20 percent within the next 15 years, harming sectors like agriculture which is one of the country's economic mainstays.
The ISRA project consists of two parts namely irrigation management transfer (IMT) and river basin management (RBM). The primary objective of the IMT is to establish water authorities that are fully capable of managing and operating the rehabilitated irrigation systems. The objective of RBM is to assist the Government of Moldova to sustainably manage water resources at a basin level. This includes supporting the implementation of the proposed Water Law and building institutional capacity.
Mott MacDonald will help provide technical support to Millennium Challenge Account to help facilitate the integration of all irrigation activities. Key tasks will include developing and maintaining work plans and risk management tools, helping to develop a policy framework to implement the water law and assisting water authorities in assuming responsibility for irrigation management.
Mott MacDonald's project director Caroline la Chapelle said, "We are delighted to be appointed on this incredibly important project for Moldova. A drought in 2007 caused a $1 billion loss for Moldova and the threat of further water shortages overshadows the future development of the country. By helping to improve national water resource management we are helping to safeguard the country's economy. Mott MacDonald has a wealth of experience in delivering water projects all over the world and we aim to be able to demonstrate our expertise on this programme."
The project is due for completion mid 2015.
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