Small Island Developing States
Faced with severe water scarcity, prone to water-related disasters like storm surges and floods, and bearing the brunt of the climate change, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable communities in the world. Their residents often live in small but dense population centres that struggle to provide sustainable water infrastructure services.
The islands’ geography, unique scale and limited resources mean that mainland solutions don’t work well. But water progress is possible – with efforts that consider the islands’ scale, capacities and environments.
Many SIDS are popular tourist destinations and feature luxurious resorts, but behind the glossy image are vulnerabilities that will get worse with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and sea-level rise brought by climate change. Their economic reliance on the climate-change sensitive fishery and tourism industries add to the challenge.
Many projects that I am working are related to climate adaptation and nature-based solutions. The impact can be life-changing for local people. Implementing these changes can help the economy, tourism, and health of local people at risk of climate change effect.
IHE Delft: A SIDS partner
IHE Delft partners with SIDS and other small islands to address water challenges through education, research and capacity development. Training programmes for water professionals enable them to gain the knowledge they need to develop sustainable water management strategies specific to their islands.
We collaborate with regional organisations on education and training on critical areas like climate resilience, water supply, infrastructure sustainability and ecosystem preservation. IHE Delft engages in research within SIDS to gain a deeper understanding of and tackle their unique water issues. We also facilitate the sharing of experiences, so that the islands – which represent only a small fraction of the world’s population, land and resources – can learn from each other.
IHE Delft work on SIDS mostly focuses on the 39 countries and 18 associated members considered SIDS by the United Nations, in particular those that are considered eligible for development assistance by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee. However, the challenges faced by SIDS are shared by other islands, including the Dutch Caribbean islands, islands that are part of Indonesia and Viet Nam and also European small islands.
Education
More than 90 water professionals from SIDS countries have graduated from IHE Delft MSc programmes. We offer scholarships targeting SIDS nationals whenever funding is available. SIDS-related events and workshops build a strong learning community that includes IHE Delft alumni and the wider SIDS water community.
SIDS Scholarships
The IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme (WDPP), funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is providing a limited number of MSc scholarships in the framework of capacity strengthening and nurturing network of water professionals in Small Island Development States, a focus region of WDPP.
Research
A dedicated, transdisciplinary research group works on integrated water and marine resource management for SIDS, using advanced technologies to address their unique challenges. The group is led by Assela Pathirana, Associate Professor in Water Infrastructure Asset Management.
Papers published include: A Screening Approach for Assessing Groundwater Quality for Consumption in Small Islands: Case Study of 45 Inhabited Islands in the Maldives Water 2020, 12(8), 2209; Assela Pavithra is a co-author.
Capacity development
We collaborate with regional, governmental and other organisations to deliver capacity development in key areas.
We work to boost water security on Maldivian outer islands, including through water safety planning training and monitoring of groundwater levels, salinity and rainfall using continuous measuring sensors as part of the 3S Water Project.
IHE Delft alumni: Water leaders in the SIDS region
SIDS alumni co-create educational resources, share experiences and mentor students. IHE Delft organises webinars, workshops and facilitate knowledge exchange and support their professional development. SIDS students and alumni reflect on their time at IHE Delft:
Alumni interview
Amit Singh
In Fiji, the effects of climate change have profoundly changed the relationship between island residents and the ocean that surrounds them, IHE Delft Alumnus Amit Singh, from Fiji, said during a visit to his alma mater to attend a course on climate change adaptation.
Alumni interview
Madoche Jean Louis
Madoche Jean Louis, a native of Haiti, turned his dream of studying in Europe into a reality when he graduated from IHE Delft in May 2022. His Master’s degree in Water Science and Engineering, with a specialization in Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development, was made possible through the SIDS scholarship (Small Island Developing States) funded by the Netherlands’ government. In this interview, he shares his post-graduation journey and the memories he made along the way, inspiring others with his story.
IHE Delft impact in SIDS
IHE Delft's Water and Development Partnership Programme, phase 2 (2016-2024), focused on SIDS along with other regions.
This online viewer provides a quick overview of projections for sea level rise, coastal flooding, shoreline retreat and extreme waves by combining several published state-of-the-art data sets on coastal climatic impact-drivers.
Meet IHE Delft SIDS researchers
Assela Pathirana
Associate Professor in Water Infrastructure Asset Management
Lucy Gwen Gillis
Senior Lecturer/Researcher in Applied Aquatic Ecology
Wim Douven
Associate Professor of Integrated River Basin Management
Ali Dastgheib
Associate Professor of Coastal Engineering and Port Development
Nirajan Dhakal
Associate Professor of Water Supply Engineering
Adam Mubeen
Adele Young
Rosh Ranasinghe
Professor of Climate Change Impacts & Coastal Risk
Akosua Boakye-Ansah
Lecturer/Researcher in Water Services Governance
William Veerbeek
Senior Lecturer in Flood Resilience
Mohan Radhakrishnan
Affiliate Researcher
Related
News ·
Research paper: SIDS key to global solutions for climate change and other challenges
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are key to the quest for solutions to global challenges like climate change, Assela Pathirana, IHE Delft Associate Professor of in Water Infrastructure Asset Management, argues in a new research paper. Local solutions used and tested on small islands can inspire climate adaptation solutions in larger settings elsewhere in the world.
News ·
Drinking water safety planning in focus during training in the Maldives
Providing the residents of Kaafu Atoll and other Maldivian outer atolls with a reliable supply of drinking water is a challenge, and planning is key. Island council members from all the Kaafu Atoll islands and other atoll officials recently strengthened their ability to conduct drinking water safety planning during a course led by Assela Pathirana, IHE Delft Associate Professor in Water Infrastructure Asset Management.
News ·
2024 reflections: Water and Development Partnership Programme
The year 2024 has been an inspiring, yet challenging year for our Water and Development Partnership Programme. As it comes to an end, we reflect on the partnerships, experiences and achievements that shaped our efforts and impact over the past months.
News ·
IHE Delft alumni highlight SIDS vulnerabilities at inaugural Islands Water Congress
Being geographically separated from each other, communities of small islands often find it a challenge to meet each other. Modern-day tools like online meetings help a bit, but are never the same as shaking a hand, greeting people with a smile and having good conversations over coffee. A recent congress in the Faroe Islands, a small archipelago at almost the midpoint of Scandinavia and Iceland, offered a rare opportunity for small-island communities to meet.
Alumni interview ·
Alumni interview: Madoche Jean Louis
Madoche Jean Louis, a native of Haiti, turned his dream of studying in Europe into a reality when he graduated from IHE Delft in May 2022. His Master’s degree in Water Science and Engineering, with a specialization in Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development, was made possible through the SIDS scholarship (Small Island Developing States) funded by the Netherlands’ government. In this interview, he shares his post-graduation journey and the memories he made along the way, inspiring others with his story.
News ·
Community-led action boosts water security on Maldivian outer islands
With their white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, it's natural to envision life on the islands of the Maldives as an aquatic paradise nestled in the Indian Ocean. But this paradise comes with challenges. Drinkable water, despite the seemingly water-abundant environment, is in short supply, particularly on the small, remote outer islands that are far removed from the bustling life of the capital, Malé. Climate change, urban development and water pollution have all resulted in a fragile and largely contaminated water system, making daily life hard for island residents.
News ·
Coral restoration can reduce impacts of sea-level rise
If coral reefs are restored well, they can play a crucial role in minimizing the impacts of flooding and erosion – events that are projected to hit coastal communities more frequently with climate change. These are the findings in a paper published recently in the journal Nature Communications.
News ·
Extended deadline for MENA and Horn of Africa, Sahel, and SIDS Scholarships
The IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme (DUPC2), funded by DGIS, the development cooperation agency of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is providing scholarships to enroll in IHE Delft's MSc in Water and Sustainable Development to early and mid career water professionals from three regions. The application deadline has been extended to 1 June 2023.
Alumni interview ·
Alumnus from Fiji: Studying at IHE Delft gave me a voice in decision-making
In Fiji, the effects of climate change have profoundly changed the relationship between island residents and the ocean that surrounds them, IHE Delft Alumnus Amit Singh, from Fiji, said during a visit to his alma mater to attend a course on climate change adaptation.
Blog ·
Almost paradise – but with smelly water: life on Mulah island, Maldives
IHE Delft’s Associate Professor of Water Infrastructure Asset Management Assela Pathirana recently visited the Mulah island of the Meemu Atoll of the Maldives. In his blog, he shares his view of the islands’ precarious situation as they suffer from the effects of rapid urbanization, pollution of water resources and climate change.