Water scarcity increases poverty
WATER scarcity has almost doubled in the last five decades, increasing poverty and hunger in developing countries, a new report has said.
By Gerald Tenywa
WATER scarcity has almost doubled in the last five decades, increasing poverty and hunger in developing countries, a new report has said.
The water per capita has reduced from about 12,050 cubic metres to 7,000 within this period and this is likely to undermine the Millennium Development Goals, the report says.
The millennium goals, agreed upon at a summit of world leaders five years ago, focus on improving the welfare of people and promoting environmental sustainability.
Freddie Kwesiga, an expert who presented one of the papers, said one billion people live in extreme poverty, many of them living in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
State minister for environment Jeje Odongo said water should be utilised well to reduce poverty.
He was speaking at the opening of the week-long workshop on water, poverty alleviation, food security and improved health.
Odongo said good water management was at the centre of agricultural growth.
“We will require creative strategies to overcome the current pitfall in planning and implementing various interventions,â€Odongo said.
WATER scarcity has almost doubled in the last five decades, increasing poverty and hunger in developing countries, a new report has said.
The water per capita has reduced from about 12,050 cubic metres to 7,000 within this period and this is likely to undermine the Millennium Development Goals, the report says.
The millennium goals, agreed upon at a summit of world leaders five years ago, focus on improving the welfare of people and promoting environmental sustainability.
Freddie Kwesiga, an expert who presented one of the papers, said one billion people live in extreme poverty, many of them living in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
State minister for environment Jeje Odongo said water should be utilised well to reduce poverty.
He was speaking at the opening of the week-long workshop on water, poverty alleviation, food security and improved health.
Odongo said good water management was at the centre of agricultural growth.
“We will require creative strategies to overcome the current pitfall in planning and implementing various interventions,â€Odongo said.