The Flow Regimes from International Experimental and Network Data (FRIEND-Water) programme of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO started working in 1985. The FRIEND-Water initiative is an international research programme that helps to set up regional networks for analyzing hydrological data. It aims to develop better understanding of hydrological variability and similarity across time and space, through the mutual exchange of data, knowledge and techniques at the regional level. The advanced knowledge of hydrological processes and flow regimes gained through FRIEND-Water helps to improve methods applicable in water resources planning and management. FRIEND-Water is a cross-cutting initiative that interacts with all six core IHP-VIII themes.
A generic overarching scientific objective has been to improve the understanding of the similarity and hydrological variability across different regions of the world, and to share models and techniques between countries, organizations and researchers. The current research covers a diverse range of topics including low flows, floods, variability of regimes, rainfall/runoff modelling, processes of stream flow generation, sediment transport, snow and glacier melt, climate change and variability and its uncertainties, and land-use impacts.
FRIEND-Water also provides support to researchers and operational staff of hydrological services in developing countries, thereby contributing to their capacity to assess and manage their own national water resources. It thus contributes to the goal of providing a reliable supply of freshwater to the world’s poor.
The initiative started in Europe and since then it kept growing interest among the scientific community with up to eight regional components around the world. Each regional component is led by a regional coordinator in charge of mobilizing scientists to improve hydrological knowledge within the region on priority themes relevant to the region. Every 4 years the programme holds an international conference in partnership with the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS). All publications on FRIEND can be accessed here.
Partner: UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP)
Target Segment of the Conference: Hydrological Product
Relationship to other Conference Segments:
FRIEND components are based on regional hydrological databases, hence contributing to the conference segment on data management. The research conducted can lead to hydrological services such as improved floods and droughts early warning systems.
Geographical coverage:
Global with eight regional components: SA FRIEND-Water (Southern Africa), HKH FRIEND-Water (Hindu Kush Himalaya), FRIEND-Water NILE, AMIGO FRIEND-Water (Latin America), EURO-FRIEND-Water, MEDFRIEND-Water (Mediterranean countries), AOC FRIEND-Water (West and Central Africa), and ASIAN PACIFIC FRIEND-Water.
Connection to the development and delivery of a hydrological service for prosperity:
FRIEND-Water contributes to improve the regional hydrological knowledge base, which can lead to some relevant hydrological services such as improved floods and droughts early warning systems and water resources assessment.
