Africa’s Water Crisis and the Impact it has on the Children
Growing statistics on the water crisis is alarming as 40% of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity. UNICEF says this includes 450 million children who are vulnerable due to an inadequate supply of safe water. A variety of factors are responsible including mismanagement of resources and climate change. Data shows since 2000, the frequency of droughts and their duration have increased by nearly a third as well as epic floods that have caused great damage and hardships.
In Africa, the most severely impacted by the water crisis are children. The Lancet Journal’s publication of Feb, 2023, reports, “Intensifying drought in the Horn of Africa throughout 2022 doubled the number of children facing severe thirst, hunger, and disease—from 10 million to 20·2 million—between July and December.” It states the drought has created a re-emergence of cholera and acute watery diarrhea in several countries including Ethiopia, with mortality rates for children at their highest peak in a decade. Current statistics find 7 million children under the age of 5 remain malnourished and in need of urgent nutrition support and over 1.9 million children are at risk of dying from severe malnutrition.
Flooding can be especially catastrophic in areas with prolonged droughts. Ethiopia is one example where flooding in drought areas caused widespread destruction and displacement. Moreover the rise in the number of cases of cholera is now among one of the longest outbreaks recorded in the country’s history. UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Mohamed Fall, explains the crisis in the Horn of Africa has been devastating for children. He states, “This crisis has deprived children of the essentials of childhood – having enough to eat, a home, safe water, and going to school.” Many children and their families must leave their homes in search of water after their livestock die and crops dry up.
Even though the rains have brought some relief in terms of water, it will still take time for communities to recover, and many will require help to get back on their feet. One of the biggest challenges is that too many of the countries involved do not have the financial and human resources to implement WASH (water and sanitation and hygiene) practices, and children continue to be at risk for preventable illnesses and deaths.
At Lifewater International, we are committed to providing for those most in need – especially the children. Our work includes Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Cambodia. All of these countries suffer from lack of safe drinking water and lack of access to sanitation and hygiene. Each of our projects includes not only providing safe water but serving schools, households, and villages with every aspect of WASH.
Help us bring safe water to families in need. Join us by making a one-time donation or become an Overflow member and make a monthly donation that will impact a child’s life each month with safe water, improved health, and the love of Christ
