Water stress and scarcity in Africa triggers conflicts of propels development

Abstract

Since the beginning of life on our planet Earth, human life has never been threatened as much as it is at present. The very existence of mankind depends on the availability of adequate water resources. For this reason alone, the water crisis needs to be addressed urgently if man is to continue life on earth. Apart from its life-giving properties, water is the major element for socio-economic development. The establishment of water supply and sanitation services in Africa trails far behind the rate of population increase. Majority of the African people reside in rural areas where potable water supply is virtually non-existent. At present, large numbers of African people do not have access to adequate and safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Due to the frequency of severe and prolonged droughts, water resources of the African continent have greatly diminished in the last 20 years. Added to this is the fact that the water quality is degraded due to the poor planning of development projects. Pollutants from industry, urban run-off, sewage and agro-chemicals are ever increasing and their uncontrolled entry into the available water resources further deteriorates water quality and quantity.