Comprehensive ESIA for Flood and Drought Resilience
Imbo Basin in Burundi
Project Overview
Background & Goal
Burundi’s faces escalating climate risks with severe floods and prolonged droughts threatening agricultural productivity, water security, and community livelihoods. Frequent extreme rainfall events coupled with widespread deforestation and wetland degradation have increased flood vulnerability, while extended dry periods compromise water availability. Decision-makers lacked environmental and social impact data needed to implement effective, sustainable climate adaptation solutions.
The goal was to conduct a thorough Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to evaluate WaveDam mobile flood barriers as part of an integrated climate resilience strategy, while developing data-driven recommendations for sustainable flood and drought management across Burundi’s most vulnerable regions.
Solution
WaveSave delivered a targeted Environmental and Social Impact Assessment through five key service components:
- Hydrological Assessment
- WaveDam Suitability Analysis
- Environmental Impact Evaluation
- Socio-economic Vulnerability Assessment
- Capacity Building for Sustainable Implementation
Clients and Donors
Primary client is Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Burund with financial support by Climate Action Africa from Canada.
Location
Location: Imbo Basin, Burundi
Timeline: 2024
Project impact
- Completed ESIA Report
- Enhanced Environmental Protection
- Strengthened Decision-Making Process
- Improved Climate Adaptation Planning
- Enhanced Local Capacity
- Created Sustainable Impact Framework
Gallery
Key highlights
SLAMDAM is a mobile flood barrier designed to provide rapid and effective flood protection. Unlike traditional flood defenses, SLAMDAM can be deployed quickly.
Rapid deployment
Deployed 200 m of SLAMDAM in less than 2 hours to prevent glacier-melt flooding.
Community training
Local teams were trained in deploying and managing SLAMDAM and the early warning system.
Early warning system
Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.
Resilience building
Reduced flood damage to homes and protected 250 hectares of farmland.
Early warning system
Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.
Sustainable impact
Increased long-term flood resilience through community empowerment and scalable technology
Testimonials
What our clients say
The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..
Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Hashmi
Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan
SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.
Naveed Alam
Community Leader Passu Community
The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..
Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Hashmi
Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan
