Water Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa
Author(s):
Abstract:
The main objective of the author is to explore the underlying causes of the chronic problem of water shortages in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He identifies the following determining factors of water crisis: the rapid rates of population growth rates, the reduction in the volume of available per capita water, unbalanced distribution of water resources across the region, draught, over-exploitation of this vital resource by some irresponsible governments, the misuses of water, technical inefficiency of water distribution networks, and the weaknesses inherent in the competency of national water organizations. Having described the most serious causal factors, the author studies national, regional and international efforts aimed at ending this water crisis. Among the major policies recommended, he mentions the issue of encouraging more popularparticipation, increasing investments in this sector, and finally the World Bank strategy of providing financial and technical aid to the regional countries which are implementing development plans with a focus on water resources and health service provisions.
Language:
Persian
Published:
Middle East Studies Quarterly, Volume:8 Issue: 1, 2001
Page:
143
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