UN says water stress to derail sustainable development in Africa

Inadequate access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene will reverse socio- economic progress across Sub-Saharan Africa, UN officials said on Friday.

UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa Director Mohamed Djelid noted that acute water scarcity will have devastating impacts on Africa's economies, livelihoods and ecosystems.

Speaking during the launch of 2015 World Water Development Report, Djelid noted that sustainable development across Sub- Saharan Africa is at stake due to growing water insecurity.

"Water stress has worsened in Africa thanks to climate change, infrastructure gap, population growth and competition from industries. This scenario will compromise realization of sustainable development goals,"Djelid noted.

The 2015 UN World Water Development Report was launched in Nairobi and New Delhi concurrently ahead of the World Water Day to be observed on Sunday.

The report devoted an entire section on Africa where 36 percent of the population lacked access to improved water sources hence exposing them to grave health challenges.

Experts agreed that failure to exploit Africa's vast fresh water potential is to blame for abject poverty, hunger, energy deficit and a high disease burden.

"Political goodwill is required to double investments in water supply infrastructure across Africa. Water is the life line of the continent's economy. It supports agriculture, industry and energy supply," Djelid said.

Djelid noted that access to clean drinking water will empower women and girls while minimizing resource based conflicts in Africa.

"Water is at the heart of sustainable development. It cuts across all millennium development goals (MDGS)," said Djelid, adding African states must establish policy and regulatory frameworks to boost water use efficiency.

Abou Amani, a hydrologist at UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, noted that absence of sound policy and legal instruments has undermined water resources management in Africa.

"There is need to improve governance and data collection in order to promote equitable distribution of fresh water resources in Africa," Amani said. Endi