Increased global concern about the ever-dwindling availability of freshwater resources has recognised, among other things, the need for improved management of this most precious of commodities and identification and promotion of freshwater augmentation technologies. In order to mitigate the threat from water scarcity, there have been extensive efforts and attentions given towards rainwater harvesting technologies because of its potential as a viable option to address the problem. Accordingly, rainwater harvesting for both domestic and food production purposes, has been increasingly picking up as an alternative source of water in sub-Saharan Africa where past efforts to get water at closer locations to the needy people have been largely unsuccessful.

In connection with this, a number of associations, forums, networks and partnerships have been evolved at global, regional and country levels for the sole objective of advancing the rainwater harvesting alternative. As of late, rainwater harvesting associations have emerged in most Southern and Eastern African countries in order to spearhead rainwater harvesting activities in their respective countries.

Following this theme, Ethiopian Rainwater Harvesting Association (ERHA) was established in December 1999 and registered in December 2001 by the FDRE Ministry of Justice.