NEWS in brief
Agricultural activity
is by far the largest
consumer
of
water in Ethiopia.
An estimated 93
percent
of
all
water
withdrawals
in
the
country
(surface water and
Young girls collecting water from desalination groundwater) are for
plant in Afdera CARE
agricultural use, much
higher than the global average of 70 percent. However,
water withdrawn for agriculture represents only an
estimated four percent of the overall country’s available
renewable water resources. While Ethiopia has relatively
abundant water resources, it is considered ‘water stressed’
due to rapid population growth over the last decade.
Estimates of renewable annual groundwater per year
range from 13.5 to 28 billion m³, of which only about 2.6
billion m³ are currently exploitable. Natural variability in
rainfall patterns and distribution, punctuated by extreme
climatic events, has thrust many regions of the country
into conditions of extreme water scarcity, degraded
water quality and chronic food insecurity. At the other
extreme, flooding is a significant problem in some parts of
Ethiopia. Compounding the unpredictable nature of the
country’s rainfall is the shortage of existing water related
infrastructure.
The Government of Ethiopia aims to increase access to
safe water supply and basic sanitation in rural and urban
areas and to invest more resources into water related
infrastructure. For example, under the One WASH
National Program, the Government of Ethiopia aims to
increase access to safe water supply to 98 percent for rural
areas and 100 percent for urban areas and to provide all
Ethiopians with access to basic sanitation. USAID supports
the Government of Ethiopia’s efforts by incorporating
water, sanitation and hygiene activities into its health,
education, humanitarian assistance and democracy and
governance programs, and water resources management
into its agriculture and food security activities.
Around Africa
“We are in dire straits as over 2
000 students residing at the new
college campus are living without
water... How are we supposed to
handle the situation?” Moyo was
quoted as saying.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) cut
supplies to Gwanda a staggering two months ago over
water bills of up to $10 million.
Gwanda is about 180km from the Beitbridge border post
with South Africa.
Water rationing
There was a bid to introduce some water rationing last
month, according to Zvishavane-based radio station
YaFM, but it was not clear who benefitted from that.
The polytechnic now appears to be among those that will
have to close down over disease fears.
This was not the first time students at the JMN polytechnic
faced crippling water problems.
In 2014, the Chronicle reported that the institution was
faced with closure “owing to serious water shortages.”
Zimbabwe
At Least 2 000 Students ‘Go Without Water for 2
Months’
Up to 2 000 students are without water at a leading
polytechnic in southern Zimbabwe after the state water
authority cut off supplies to the town of Gwanda, it was
reported on Wednesday the 21 June 2017.
Ngoni Moyo, the principal of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo
(JMN) Polytechnic, said the situation was dire - and she
too was living without water, it was reported .
Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • July - August 2017
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