Ethiopia Rainwater Harvesting Association (ERHA)

The Ethiopia Rainwater Harvesting  Association (ERHA) is  a non-profit making rainwater association whose goal is to work towards all Ethiopians having safe water, food security, and a better quality of life. Its mission is to facilitate widespread promotion and implementation of rainwater harvesting in Ethiopia through advocacy, networking, research, and capacity building towards developing, adapting, and disseminating rainwater harvesting technologies.

ERHA was established in 1999 and formally registered on 5th December 2001, with the Federal Ministry of Justice of FDRE. The Association established its Secretariat on 1st July 2002. ERHA’s operations are guided by a strategic plan, and the aspirations of ERHA can be summarised as follows:

• Improved access to water for all.
• Transparency and accountability of functions and objectives.
• Networking, research, and promotion of rainwater harvesting.
• Capacity building for stakeholders.
• Resource mobilisation.

ERHA was formed after a workshop in Arusha during which it was resolved to start rainwater associations in individual countries in the Southern and Eastern Africa Region. ERHA was established as a result of initiatives taken by concerned Ethiopians who recognised the folllowing issues:

• The need to alleviate the severe water shortage in many parts of Ethiopia  through utilising the rainwater resource for domestic water supply, food production, and environmental nees.
• The tremendous role that could be played by civil society organisations (CSOs) in spearheading rainwater harvesting initiatives in Ethiopia.