By Trend News Line 2024-03-22 08:28:00.
**Water Crisis Continues to Impact Billions Worldwide**
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A recent report published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water has revealed alarming statistics regarding global access to clean drinking water and sanitation. Shockingly, 2.2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while 3.5 billion are without access to safely managed sanitation. These figures indicate a significant gap in achieving the UN goal of universal access to clean water by 2030.
**Rising Concerns Over Water Scarcity**
The report also highlights the increasing impact of droughts on global populations, with over 1.4 billion people affected between 2002 and 2021. Currently, half of the world’s population faces severe water scarcity at some point during the year, while a quarter experiences extreme water stress, using more than 80% of their annual freshwater supply. This situation is exacerbated by climate change, which is projected to worsen the frequency and severity of water-related crises.
**Gender Disparities in Water Access**
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Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to clean water. In many rural areas, women are responsible for collecting water, spending hours each day on this task. The limited access to water not only increases their workload but also hinders their education, economic opportunities, and safety. This disparity contributes to higher dropout rates among girls in secondary school compared to boys.
**Migration and Conflict**
The lack of water security has also been identified as a driver of migration, leading to increased strain on water resources in settlement areas and heightened social tensions. A study in Somalia revealed a 200% increase in gender-based violence among displaced populations. In regions like the Sahel, disputes over water access have escalated due to wetland degradation from unsustainable water projects, causing local conflicts.
**Need for Transboundary Agreements**
The lack of cooperation on transboundary water management poses a significant risk of conflict. While 40% of the global population lives in shared river basins, only a fifth of countries have agreements to manage these resources jointly. This issue is especially critical in Africa, where 19 out of 22 states face water scarcity, and two-thirds of the continent’s freshwater resources are transboundary.
**Progress in Cooperation Efforts**
Despite these challenges, there have been successful examples of cooperation in managing shared water resources. The Sava River Basin Agreement in South-East Europe and the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Africa have demonstrated the effectiveness of multilateral agreements in ensuring sustainable water management and preventing conflicts. These initiatives serve as models for other regions facing similar water crises.
In conclusion, the global water crisis continues to pose significant challenges to billions of people worldwide. Addressing this issue requires international cooperation, sustainable management practices, and a commitment to ensuring equitable access to clean water for all. By learning from successful cooperation efforts and implementing effective policies, we can work towards a future where every individual has access to this essential resource..
1. global peace at risk due to water crises
2. UNESCO report on water crises and global peace.
