Water Shortages II: an undervalued Trouble Spot in the Near- and Middle-East
-- an SWMTHiNKTANK article
In a recent article [1] the economic aspects of water shortages were addressed. This article continues with a more geo-political consideration of water shortages, summarizing some selected recent news and providing some general insights concentrating on the Near- and Middle-East (NEME).
As documented in a number of reports the NEME-region was and is characterised by a sensitivity for water shortages [2]. Depending upon aspects like topography, hydrological regimes and water supply technology water supply issues are more or less severe. Jordan, for example, has been recognised as a country being subject to a severe water-stress [3]-[6] having one of the worlds lowest levels of water resource availability, per capita [6]. Other countries, like Iraq, formerly were not as severely subject to water shortages [2]. However, also the most recent history (e.g. Gulf War I + II) left a more or less destroyed water processing infrastructure resulting in water management problems [7]-[9]. Economic progress in contrast seems to have a disadvantageous effect on water management as well. For example countries proven to be economic sound like UAE and Saudi-Arabia (counted to belong to the biggest water-consumers in the NEME-region [10]) need to invest huge amounts of money in order to address their challenges in water [11]-[14].
In all, the above summarised reports advise to consider the sustainability issues related to water in the NEME-region vary carefully. A proper management of the water resource may contribute to a stable and long-term economic and environmental well-fare.
