Water scarcity in the middle east pdf

Allan soaskings college london water research group tony. There is a debate among scholars as to whether water shortages in the middle east will. Water has always posed great challenges for the middle east and north africa. Water gap in the middle east and north africa 2012 by world bank. Water scarcity is already a serious problem in the middle east, especially. The middle east regions water deficit, which has been worsening since 1970, has not.

Jordan, located in the syrian desert, and yemen, on the southern tip of the arabian peninsula, both endure severe water scarcity in the middle east. Located within a semi arid to arid region, the middle east and north africa mena. Geography adds yet another layer of complexity to the issue. Understanding the water crisis in africa and the middle east. The effects of climate change on already scarce fresh water resources in the mena region poses an existential risk and a potential for conflict.

The chronic water shortage in the middle east north africa mena region is a perplexing issue, undoubtedly because various operational sectors, multiinstitutions and stakeholders are. Thus, water is critical to ensure security in society, having a direct impact on political stability. Overall, water resources per capita in the region are onesixth of the global average, or about 720 m3 per capita per year9. It is also referred to as a scarcity or deficiency of water resources governance. Evaluation of water scarcity in selected countries of the middle east. The chronic water shortage in the middle east north africa mena region is a perplexing issue, undoubtedly because various operational sectors, multiinstitutions and stakeholders are inextricably interconnected. Water scarcity in the middle east 2019 4 stability5. Download water in the middle east pdf books pdfbooks. Escwa 20, inventory of shared water resources in western asia. Factors like climate change and persistent conflict, as witnessed in the middle east, significantly exacerbate water scarcity and provoke security risks such as. Nine out of 15 countries in the region are characterized by absolute water scarcity10.

In the current debate over the politics of water in the middle east, there are three main questions at issue. For example, jordans average freshwater withdrawal is less than ten percent of portugals average, despite being the same size. More specifically, without sustainable access to clean water, any society or economy will be disrupted. The regions increasing water scarcity is well known, as is the fact that agriculture is the largest consumer of water globally, accounting for around 70 percent of annual water withdrawals. Conflict has traditionally been caused by political, military, ethnic and religious issues. The middle east and north africa is the most waterscarce region. The primary goal of this article is to evaluate water scarcity in selected countries of the middleeast and assess the impact on agricultural production. Water scarcity poses a global threat, but its effects are more visible in arid or semiarid regions like the middle east, which is one of the most water scarce regions in the world. Water scarcity higher production costs and lower production volumes for water it i id ti d t t d iintensive industries and water stressed regions market and non market mechanism this paper is about applying the concept of virtual water to the problem of future water scarcity in the mediterranean area, also induced by the climate. With rapid growth, regional instability, and climate change, these challenges are more pressing than ever. In face of these challenges, interventions in domestic agricultural sectors have the potential to offset many negative impacts on the region. Bled dry international committee of the red cross icrc. Water and food it has long been clear that water and food security must be looked at in an integrated manner. M ore than any other region, the middle east and north africa mena is plagued by instability and conflict.