Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the most water-scarce region in the world, with only about 1% of global freshwater resources. Increasing demand for water from cities, industries and agriculture has pushed the already hot and dry countries of the region into extreme stress. The region is challenged by environmental and land degradation, rapid urbanization and persistent food insecurity, compounded by conflict, civil unrest, and complex water management and governance. More than 60% of the region’s population has little or no access to potable water.
In the MENA region, it is expected that the occurrence of extreme weather events (such as floods and droughts) will increase as a result of climate change. Increased flooding contaminates water sources and destroys sanitation facilities, while droughts amplify water scarcity with serious impacts on health and agricultural productivity. Smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Approximately 85% of the region’s water is used for irrigated agriculture, even though this might vary locally. Still, agriculture is the largest water user and polluter. However, due to highly inefficient use, more than half of the irrigation water is lost. Countries extract groundwater faster than it is replenished. Also, untreated wastewater is discharged into the environment, causing health hazards and wastage of water. In addition, approximately 82% of the region’s wastewater is neither used nor treated and there is room for improvement, and this could help to close the gap between water supply and demand. About 80% of surface water resources and 66% of total water resources in the region are shared between countries, leading to disputes over water resources. By 2050, two-thirds of countries in the MENA region could have less than 200 cubic meters (m3) of renewable water resources per capita per year (the annual average in other geographical regions is about 7,000 m3 per capita).
IWMI in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
IWMI supports the MENA countries in resolving the aggravating water security challenges by providing innovative water solutions that respond to regional challenges and national priorities.
Through multidisciplinary team across the region and the larger team in other regional offices and the Headquarters, IWMI MENA will keep intensifying its efforts to deliver water solutions and expand and deepen its impact by combining research with data to enhance knowledge, information services and products; strengthen capacity and set up dialogue for better water management.
At IWMI we believe that no impact scale can be achieved by acting alone, and we are confident that through strengthened partnerships, we can bridge the gap between science, policy, business, and development for a more sustainable resilient future. IWMI will continue to develop strategic alliances with national and international partners and stakeholders across the MENA region and beyond while considering the region and countries specificities. Our partnerships rely on collaboration among scientists, governments, civil society, businesses, development organizations, and users including smallholders.
Water, energy, and food provisioning plays a pivotal role in advancing social and economic development. Human well-being cannot be attained without ensuring secure access to water, energy, and food resources, as well as maintaining a healthy environment. The Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus presents intricate interlinkages with the concept of an inclusive society, where every individual, regardless of background or circumstances, has an opportunity to fully participate and benefit from societal resources and opportunities equitably. The intersectionality of WEFE Nexus with human security underscores the complex interconnections between access to resources, societal inclusion, and the protection of individual well-being. Understanding the intersectionality of the WEFE Nexus can contribute to fostering an inclusive society and human security through: conflict prevention; equal access and distribution of resources; community participation and engagement; promotion of diversity; addressing gender inequality and social exclusion; resilience building; and sustainable development. This discussion brief investigates and conceptualizes the intersectionality between the WEFE Nexus and the concepts of inclusive society and human security. This intersectionality is highlighted through three examples from the MENA, SSA, and Asia-Pacific regions. It contains insights from a literature review and a summary of discussion points from a three-day Royal Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers Symposium ‘The Nexus in Action: Navigating the Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus for Climate Resilient and Inclusive Futures’ held from 7-9 February 2024, in Amman, Jordan jointly hosted by the Royal Scientific Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering. In navigating the challenges posed by climate change, conflict, and socioeconomic disparities, a concerted focus on the WEFE Nexus offers a pathway towards building inclusive societies and enhancing human security as evidenced in the MENA, SSA, and Asia-Pacific regions. Through continuous collaboration, innovation, and commitment to sustainable development, a future can be created where all individuals have access to the resources needed to thrive.
Case studies / Economic diversification / Stakeholders / Communities / Refugees / Natural resources / Livelihoods / Gender equality / Social inclusion / Governance / Conflicts / Sustainable development / Socioeconomic aspects / Intersectionality / Nexus approaches / Environment / Food insecurity / Food security / Energy / Water scarcity / Resilience / Climate change Record No:H053085
Social aspects / Women / Gender-transformative approaches / Stakeholders / Business models / Cost recovery / Financing / Sustainability / Health hazards / Water quality standards / Agricultural water use / Irrigation water / Guidelines / Planning / Water governance / Water policies / Resource recovery / Municipal wastewater / Wastewater treatment / Water scarcity / Water availability / Water resources / Water reuse Record No:H051838
This study developed the SEWAGE-TRACK model for disaggregating lumped national wastewater generation estimates using population datasets and quantifying rural and urban wastewater generation and fate. The model allocates wastewater into riparian, coastal, and inland components and summarizes the fate of wastewater into productive (direct and indirect reuse) and unproductive components for 19 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As per the national estimates, 18.4 km3 of municipal wastewater generated in 2015, was disaggregated over the MENA region. Results from this study revealed urban and rural areas to contribute to 79 % and 21 % of municipal wastewater generation respectively. Within the rural context, inland areas generated 61 % of the total wastewater. The riparian and coastal regions produced 27 % and 12 %, respectively. Within the urban settings, riparian areas produced 48 %, while inland and coastal regions generated 34 % and 18 % of the total wastewater, respectively. Results indicate that 46 % of the wastewater is productively used (direct reuse and indirect use), while 54 % is lost unproductively. Of the total wastewater generated, the most direct use was observed in the coastal areas (7 %), the most indirect reuse in the riparian regions (31 %), and the most unproductive losses in inland areas (27 %). The potential of unproductive wastewater as a non-conventional freshwater source was also analyzed. Our results indicate that wastewater is an excellent alternative water source and has high potential to reduce pressure on non-renewable sources for some countries in the MENA region. The motivation of this study is to disaggregate wastewater generation and track wastewater fate using a simple but robust approach that is portable, scalable and repeatable. Similar analysis can be done for other regions to produce information on disaggregated wastewater and its fate. Such information is highly critical for efficient wastewater resource management.
Coastal areas / Groundwater recharge / Water availability / Water reuse / Models / Estimation / Water productivity / Datasets / Population / Rural areas / Municipal wastewater / Wastewater treatment Record No:H051814
