Established in 2012 by UNESCO, GRIDMAP is a regional scientific initiative that aims to combat climate change in water-scarce areas of Africa by identifying emergency and sustainable water supplies and delivering measures to mitigate against long-term drought and famine.  The initiative is a consortium of international, regional, national and local actors, and funded by multiple donors.  In its first phase (2012-2013), GRIDMAP will focus on the Horn of Africa region where drought and famine have been acute in recent years.

Group photo of participants who attended the launch of the UNESCO-led initiative “Strengthening Capacity to Combat Drought and Famine in the Horn of Africa (Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia): Tapping Groundwater Resources for Emergency Water Supply” on 22 May 2012 at Mayfair Hotel, Nairobi