In a new episode of WASH Talk Podcast, a Hopespring Charity podcast initiative, host Azeezat Rufai, also known as Zee, passionately discusses the pressing issue of water scarcity in Nigeria and its global implications.
In this episode, we uncover Nigeria’s water scarcity crisis and its global ramifications. Join us as we delve into the shocking statistics and investigate solutions to this pressing issue.
The Alarming Reality
In 2022, the world bank report reveals that almost 30% of the population does not have access to clean drinking water in Nigeria. Consequently, over 40 percent of about 60 million people in Nigeria lack decent drinking water services. It is worth noting that almost three billion people globally lack access to potable water. This crisis involves a large number of people and it is highly alarming.
The Impacts of Water Scarcity
Shortage of safe water has repercussions which surpasses health conditions. In regards to Nigeria, it compromises education as well as economic development in the country. Women and girls walk for long distances to get water and have no time for education and many other important things in most developing areas. Furthermore, the water which they receive is often from sewages making them vulnerable to diseases such as Cholera and Dysentery.
In addition to the cases of single infected individuals, these water-borne diseases are likely to run amuck to the point of outbreaks that spread through whole communities. Surprisingly over 840, 000 people have died annually as a result of preventable diseases such as those associated with poor hygiene.
Nigeria’s Unique Water Scarcity Challenge
In the first case is Nigeria – the largest African country that has a very serious lack of water resources. For instance, many people use polluted water sources like rivers and open wells in various areas often leading to waterborne-diseases such as typhoid and Diarrhoea diseases.
Recent reports from Kano state revealed communities forced to consume water from a contaminated pond, resulting in a cholera outbreak with fatal consequences. Regrettably, this is just one of many unreported cases
Water Shortage in Urban Areas
Water scarcity isn’t confined to rural areas; it also plagues larger Nigerian cities, such as Lagos. Many residents are forced to rely on private water vendors at exorbitant prices for their daily water supply. The decreasing supply of water resources exacerbates these issues. These issues are further complicated further by a scarcity of water resources.
Solutions and Initiatives
Water crisis requires urgent joint actions. Intervention should also include essential education programs on healthy hygienic behavior patterns for this category of people, especially kids.
Various nongovernmental organizations including WaterAid, Hydrate life, Water for good and Hope spring clean water charity have joined forces with worldwide assistance to help in Nigeria. Such programs are geared towards meeting current demands for water while planning for future interventions such as construction and rehabilitation of water facilities including wells and water treatment systems.
More Work to Be Done
This is indeed an appreciable move; however, there remains so much that still needs to be accomplished. There must be never-ending support for these organizations who put more attention on sustainability so that more communities can benefit from these life changing services. Climate change action must be prioritized because higher temperatures cause a variety of negative outcomes from extreme climatic phenomena such as droughts and floods.
We are in the middle of a global water crisis affecting the entire world. Every person has the right to have access to clean water. It’s our obligation as a society to not deny anybody from consuming safe drinking water. However, time is vital in improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities while conserving water resources for future generations.
Join the WASH Talk movement and stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we will continue to explore updates and developments in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. Together, we can make a difference in addressing the hidden crisis of water scarcity, not only in Nigeria but around the world. Let’s inspire change and work towards a future with clean water for all.