1) More than half of Africans lack access to safe drinking water, and women often walk long distances such as 3.75 miles on average to collect water. This takes up a large portion of their daily energy and has negative health impacts. 2) Africa faces a severe water crisis with low access to drinking water and sanitation. This is exacerbated by rapid population growth and effects poverty. Community-based projects emphasizing local participation and ownership have had some success in increasing access. 3) Solutions implemented include wells, sand dams, rainwater harvesting, and solar disinfection. NGOs play a large role, but sustainability is a challenge without community involvement in maintenance. Overall access remains low and expanding access

1. Anthony ScalettaGeography of AfricaApril 8, 2010Inside Africa's Water Crisis

2. More than half of all African’s lack access to safe drinking water (UN) The avg. distance a woman in Africa walks to collect water is 3.75 miles 1/3 of women in Egypt walk over an hour/day for waterIn other parts of Africa, the task can consume as much as 8 hrsWomen can expend as much as 85% of their daily energy intake on getting waterThe weight of water that women in Africa carry on their heads: 40-50lbs. Medical research has documented cases of permanent damage to women's health as a result of carrying waterChronic fatigue, Spinal & pelvic deformities, Effects on reproductive health including spontaneous abortionOf all the renewable water available in Africa each year, only 4% is used Most Africans lack Wells, Canals, Pumps, Reservoirs, & Irrigation SystemsOverview

3. Sources: World Health Report (WHO, 2004), Medilinks.org

4. OverviewWater CoverageLowest overall water supply coverage of any region in the world14 countries <50% coverage for national water supply~ 62% of Africans have access to improved water supplyUrban-Rural Disparity Sanitation ~ 60% sanitation coverage overall 10 countries <50% coverage for sanitation 45% rural / 84% urban WHO Data (1990-2000)Urban areas steady in coverage and sanitation Rural water supply increased slightly while rural sanitation has fallen

5. Water & Sanitation CrisisWaterborne Diseases killing in large numbersLimits economic growth and developmentLooking AheadAfrica’s Rapid Population Growth : Widening the GapPopulation Projected to increase by 65% over the next 25 yearsAnother 400 million people will need access to safe water & sanitation Accelerates Deforestation Climate ChangeDroughts ~ Half of Africa's population is threatened by desertificationPoverty Linkage2 in 3 people lacking access to clean water survive on less than $2 a dayOverview

6. Poverty & Lack of Water AccessAccess to clean water is the most essential necessity for all people Water ScarcityAn environmental constraint that hinders development Creates Social Conflicts btw. various water usersIndividuals, Communities, Industries, Livestock, Wildlife, and Agricultural Users Lack of water perpetuates the Poverty Trap Closely linked to human welfare and healthMost costly for those that can least afford it (urban slums/remote villages)Time and energy spent obtaining water impacts ability to pursue income or education Poverty in Rural AfricaPoor households in the agricultural subsistence economy hit the hardest 1994 Tanzania Case Study: Limited water resources #1 cause of rural poverty

7. Table 1: Distribution of Households by Access to Drinkable Water and Regions (1994)

8. Case Study: "The Burden of Thirst" by Tina Rosenberg http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/video/player#/?titleID=burden-of-thirst&catID=1

9. Millions of African women spend their day collecting waterAylito Binayo's Story 25 years oldForo Village, Konso District, Southwestern EthiopiaOngoing drought – river is exhausted Dropped out of school @ 8yrs. old to help her mother fetch waterSpends +8hrs/day fetching water Steep, mountainous terrain 6 Gallon Jerry Can: 50 pounds of water on her backWaits long hours in line for waterThe water is dirty and unsafe to drink"The Burden of Thirst" by Tina Rosenberg

10. Konso Culture : Gender Roles A lack of water is at the center of a vicious circle of inequalityFetching water is always women’s work Konso men only haul water during the few weeks following the birth of a babyYoung boys fetch water up to 7 or 8 yrs. old Rule is enforced fiercely by men and women. Binayo: "If the boys are older, people gossip that the woman is lazy”A Konso woman’s reputation rests on her hard workBinayo: "If I sit and stay at home and do nothing, nobody likes me. But if I run up and down to get water, they say I'm a clever woman and work hard."Some Konso women come down to the river 5 times/day1-2 trips devoted to getting water to make home brew for their husbandsBinayo makes journey 3 times/day and never questions it Binayo’s View:“When we are born, we know that we will have a hard life. It is the culture of Konso from a long time before us.”

11. Sanitation Issues in KonsoProper hand washing alone can cut diarrheal diseases by 45 %Every drop counts when that water is carried up a mountainBinayo makes do w/ 2.5 gals/day (Avg. American: +100 gals/day )Washes her hands w/ water "maybe once a day”She washes her own body only occasionally Washes clothes once a year"We don't even have enough water for drinking—how can we wash our clothes?" 2007 Survey:No households in Konso District had water w/ soap near their latrines to wash their handsBinayo's family recently dug a latrine but cannot afford to buy soapVillager to Outreach Worker: “You tell me to use soap, then give me the money to buy it.”

12. HealthForo Village Health Clinic: 70% suffer from waterborne diseasesDiarrheaBacteria & Parasites : Lack of proper hygiene/sanitation Drinking untreated river waterKonso District Health Center ~ Half of all patients suffer from waterborne diseasesLimited water resources Runs out of water 4 months out of yearRelies on government to truck in river water Not enough water for disinfection Sanitation Issues in Konso

13. Responses to the Water CrisisBringing clean water closer to people's homes is key40% of households in Sub-Saharan Africa: >30 Minutes from nearest water sourceDirect access to clean water transforms communities Promotes Grassroots development Allows more time to grow food, raise animals, seek education & generate income GovernmentWater is commonly addressed at the District and Local Governmental levels in most of AfricaLack the funds and technological expertise needed to provide wellsNo political representation for rural villages NGOsPrimary Implementers of Water SchemesTendency to breakdown after NGO moves-on 2007 Survey of Konso District: 9 out of 35 projects still functioning Repairs not possible: Lack of money, or spare part to far away Sustainability and Community involvement crucial

14. Community-Based Projects 2003 University of Dar es Salaam StudySmall scale Projects: Most cost effective & easily managed Sustainability ensured w/ “Demand-Driven & Community Participation” ApproachPrevents conflicts Focus:Community involvement in solving water problems is keyProject Initiation, Planning, Implementation, and Maintenance Strengthening women’s participation in the planning & decision making Village/User ownership emphasized Empowers the poor

15. WaterAidUK-based international NGO Mission: To transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene & sanitation in the world's poorest communities.WaterAid in Konso District, Ethiopia Installed RWH System at the District Health Center

16. Sand Dam Construction

17. Capture and filter water that would otherwise drain away

18. Methane capturing toilets for communal kitchen use WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) Community-Based Program Involves local community in designing, building, & maintaining new water projects

19. 7 Person Committee- w/ mandatory minimum of 4 women

20. Works w/WaterAid to plan projects and involves the village in construction

21. Maintains and runs the project Foro Village Community Water Pump ProjectVillage work parties constructed trench and installed pipes Each villager contributed a few cents to help fund project Villagers own and control their own water supply Water-Guard1 capful purifies a jerry can User FeesOne penny per jerry canKey to sustaining projectVillagers initial resistance: “Water is a gift from God.”1 penny/jerry can: Cheaper than time spent hauling water and lives lost to disease WaterAid SurveyLatrine use up from 6% to 25 % (2007-2009)

22. SODIS: Solar Water Disinfection Simple procedure to disinfect drinking water