Inside Africa\'s Water Crisis

Anthony Scaletta Geography of Africa April 8, 2010 Inside Africa's Water Crisis

More than half of all African’s lack access to safe drinking water (UN) The avg. distance a woman in Africa walks to collect water is 3.75 miles 1/3 of women in Egypt walk over an hour/day for water In other parts of Africa, the task can consume as much as 8 hrs Women can expend as much as 85% of their daily energy intake on getting water The weight of water that women in Africa carry on their heads: 40-50lbs. Medical research has documented cases of permanent damage to women's health as a result of carrying water Chronic fatigue, Spinal & pelvic deformities, Effects on reproductive health including spontaneous abortion Of all the renewable water available in Africa each year, only 4% is used Most Africans lack Wells, Canals, Pumps, Reservoirs, & Irrigation Systems Overview

Sources: World Health Report (WHO, 2004), Medilinks.org

Overview Water Coverage Lowest overall water supply coverage of any region in the world 14 countries <50% coverage for national water supply ~ 62% of Africans have access to improved water supply Urban-Rural Disparity Sanitation ~ 60% sanitation coverage overall 10 countries <50% coverage for sanitation 45% rural / 84% urban WHO Data (1990-2000) Urban areas steady in coverage and sanitation Rural water supply increased slightly while rural sanitation has fallen

Water & Sanitation Crisis Waterborne Diseases killing in large numbers Limits economic growth and development Looking Ahead Africa’s Rapid Population Growth : Widening the Gap Population Projected to increase by 65% over the next 25 years Another 400 million people will need access to safe water & sanitation Accelerates Deforestation Climate Change Droughts ~ Half of Africa's population is threatened by desertification Poverty Linkage 2 in 3 people lacking access to clean water survive on less than $2 a day Overview

Poverty & Lack of Water Access Access to clean water is the most essential necessity for all people Water Scarcity An environmental constraint that hinders development Creates Social Conflicts btw. various water users Individuals, Communities, Industries, Livestock, Wildlife, and Agricultural Users Lack of water perpetuates the Poverty Trap Closely linked to human welfare and health Most costly for those that can least afford it (urban slums/remote villages) Time and energy spent obtaining water impacts ability to pursue income or education Poverty in Rural Africa Poor households in the agricultural subsistence economy hit the hardest 1994 Tanzania Case Study: Limited water resources #1 cause of rural poverty

Table 1: Distribution of Households by Access to Drinkable Water and Regions (1994)

Case Study: "The Burden of Thirst" by Tina Rosenberg http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/video/player#/?titleID=burden-of-thirst&catID=1

Millions of African women spend their day collecting water Aylito Binayo's Story 25 years old Foro Village, Konso District, Southwestern Ethiopia Ongoing drought – river is exhausted Dropped out of school @ 8yrs. old to help her mother fetch water Spends +8hrs/day fetching water Steep, mountainous terrain 6 Gallon Jerry Can: 50 pounds of water on her back Waits long hours in line for water The water is dirty and unsafe to drink "The Burden of Thirst" by Tina Rosenberg

Konso Culture : Gender Roles A lack of water is at the center of a vicious circle of inequality Fetching water is always women’s work Konso men only haul water during the few weeks following the birth of a baby Young boys fetch water up to 7 or 8 yrs. old Rule is enforced fiercely by men and women. Binayo: "If the boys are older, people gossip that the woman is lazy” A Konso woman’s reputation rests on her hard work Binayo: "If I sit and stay at home and do nothing, nobody likes me. But if I run up and down to get water, they say I'm a clever woman and work hard." Some Konso women come down to the river 5 times/day 1-2 trips devoted to getting water to make home brew for their husbands Binayo makes journey 3 times/day and never questions it Binayo’s View: “When we are born, we know that we will have a hard life. It is the culture of Konso from a long time before us.”

Sanitation Issues in Konso Proper hand washing alone can cut diarrheal diseases by 45 % Every drop counts when that water is carried up a mountain Binayo makes do w/ 2.5 gals/day (Avg. American: +100 gals/day ) Washes her hands w/ water "maybe once a day” She washes her own body only occasionally Washes clothes once a year "We don't even have enough water for drinking—how can we wash our clothes?" 2007 Survey: No households in Konso District had water w/ soap near their latrines to wash their hands Binayo's family recently dug a latrine but cannot afford to buy soap Villager to Outreach Worker: “You tell me to use soap, then give me the money to buy it.”

Health Foro Village Health Clinic: 70% suffer from waterborne diseases Diarrhea Bacteria & Parasites : Lack of proper hygiene/sanitation Drinking untreated river water Konso District Health Center ~ Half of all patients suffer from waterborne diseases Limited water resources Runs out of water 4 months out of year Relies on government to truck in river water Not enough water for disinfection Sanitation Issues in Konso

Responses to the Water Crisis Bringing clean water closer to people's homes is key 40% of households in Sub-Saharan Africa: >30 Minutes from nearest water source Direct access to clean water transforms communities Promotes Grassroots development Allows more time to grow food, raise animals, seek education & generate income Government Water is commonly addressed at the District and Local Governmental levels in most of Africa Lack the funds and technological expertise needed to provide wells No political representation for rural villages NGOs Primary Implementers of Water Schemes Tendency to breakdown after NGO moves-on 2007 Survey of Konso District: 9 out of 35 projects still functioning Repairs not possible: Lack of money, or spare part to far away Sustainability and Community involvement crucial

Community-Based Projects 2003 University of Dar es Salaam Study Small scale Projects: Most cost effective & easily managed Sustainability ensured w/ “Demand-Driven & Community Participation” Approach Prevents conflicts Focus: Community involvement in solving water problems is key Project Initiation, Planning, Implementation, and Maintenance Strengthening women’s participation in the planning & decision making Village/User ownership emphasized Empowers the poor

WaterAid UK-based international NGO Mission: To transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene & sanitation in the world's poorest communities. WaterAid in Konso District, Ethiopia ,[object Object]

Capture and filter water that would otherwise drain away

Methane capturing toilets for communal kitchen use WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) Community-Based Program ,[object Object]

7 Person Committee- w/ mandatory minimum of 4 women

Works w/WaterAid to plan projects and involves the village in construction

Maintains and runs the project ,[object Object]

SODIS: Solar Water Disinfection ,[object Object]

Inside Africa\'s Water Crisis

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