158 Executing entities: © UNEP Dates: 2013–2016 Implementing Ecosystem-based Integrated Water Context The Lukaya River Basin is located southwest of Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, and is a vital source of drinking water for approximately 400,000 of its inhabitants. In the Basin, rapid urbanisation, unsustainable agricultural practices, quarrying and charcoal production have resulted in deforestation, excessive sedimentation in the river, and highincidence of flooding. Heavy sedimentation in the Lukaya River reduces water quality,blocks river flow, affects local fisheries and increases water treatment costs. Floodinghas taken lives and damaged houses, infrastructure and agriculture. If managed sustainably, ecosystems can deliver multiple services, including disaster riskreduction and reducing local vulnerabilities to climate change. This project promotedecosystem-based measures to mitigate hazards, namely gully erosion and floods andaddressed ecosystem degradation, which is a driver of disaster risk in the Lukaya River Basin. Project objectives: To demonstrate the effectiveness of ecosystem-based measures in reducing the risks of floods and gully erosion, improving water quality and providing multiple benefits for local livelihoods. To develop local and national capacities for implementing a river basin management approach. To inform national policies and planning on mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) through Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). Funding: European Commission – $310,000 (USD). UN Development Account – $390,000 (USD). UNEP staff costs contributed in kind. Resource Management to Mitigate Disaster Risk in the Lukaya River Basin Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo Ecosystem: River basin Nature-based Solution: Integrated Water Resource Management with in-country partners Biodiversity 115 ha community agroforestry; 7 hareforestation on slopes. Climate Through floodrisk-reduction, local resilience to climatechange is strengthened. People 71 training sessions& workshops; Increased incomes; Improved water quality. Achievements: