World Environment Day: Water Scarcity in Africa

World Environment Day, held and celebrated annually on June 5th, is a global platform led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to highlight the environmental challenges that occur in our world. Through a united goal, this event allows individuals from across the globe to engage in endeavors to restore and preserve the Earth. Nevertheless, an ongoing water crisis is currently affecting many regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. With limited access to unclean and unsafe water, populations suffer from poor sanitation, malnutrition, infectious diseases, premature deaths, immune suppression, and water intoxication. Hence, Africa is suffering from water scarcity and water stress.

Water scarcity, which is the condition where the demand for water exceeds supply and where obtainable water resources are approaching or have surpassed sustainable levels, is classified into two types: physical and economic. Physical water scarcity occurs when water sources are overused for various reasons, and it can no longer be used to meet the needs of the population. As a result, the water supply is limited and inadequate. On the contrary, economic scarcity is associated with poor governance and infrastructure, as well as restricted investments. According to the United Nations Economic Commision for Africa, arid areas of the continent –  mostly located in North Africa –  are impacted by physical water scarcity, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa is affected by economic water scarcity. Agriculture is one of the most significant economic sectors in Africa. However, because it is heavily impacted by water scarcity, populations could experience food shortages and famine. The problem of water scarcity yields to water stress, which refers to the economic, social, or environmental issues caused by unfulfilled water needs. 

In 2016, approximately 4 billion people – equivalent to two-thirds of the global population – experience extreme water scarcity for an extended period of time. However, if circumstances do not improve, 700 million people could be displaced by 2030. Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), water scarcity affects 1 in 3 people in the African region and the condition is worsening due to factors such as population growth, climate change, and urbanization. For instance, increasing sea levels can result in saltwater intrusion, contaminating drinking water resources. In addition, the melting of glaciers changes the flow patterns of rivers in downstream regions, which causes flooding, infrastructure damages (e.g., dam bursts), and low river flows that decrease the amount of water available.

Remedies for water scarcity are put into effect on a local, national, and international level. Local communities are implementing adaptation techniques where they select drought-tolerant crops instead of those that require adequate amounts of water. This is a strategy to combat both water scarcity and food insecurity. Regenerative agriculture is also another method that can help with infiltration and soil moisture retention. Moreover, some governments are taking the necessary steps to prevent water scarcity across the continent. For example, the government of Namibia funded the construction of an urban wastewater management in the capital city of Windhoek. This has significantly enhanced the administration of water resources, thereby reducing the risk of water scarcity. 

In conclusion, water scarcity and water stress are significant crises in Africa, and their conditions are more likely to aggravate due to the rise of global warming and the demands for water supply. Therefore, immediate remedies must be put into place to effectively manage the water crises. As human beings, we tend to mismanage and over consume water sources. Through our actions, we are a threat to the survival of our planet and unfortunately, we are becoming unsuccessful in restoring it. There are, however, many reasons to be hopeful. Through collective action, governments have been able to greatly alleviate the effects of water scarcity by implementing efficient wastewater management systems. Communities have adopted adaptive methods of agriculture that allow drought-tolerant crops to thrive and provide more resources than were previously grown. By engaging our communities on the local, national, and international level, we can explore solutions like these to build a future where water is accessible to all.  

*The Wishing Well company is dedicated to tackling environmental issues surrounding the water crisis. Learn more at thewishingwell.info