|
The region of the Arab countries today is
considered to be one of the main areas facing serious
shortages of water. This is due to rapid population growth
and climatic change, which could pose serious threats to the
stability and prosperity of the region. In addition, there
are high dependencies on shared rivers and ground waters
with countries outside the region. This poses serious
threats to the stability and prosperity of the region.
Renowned water sciences institutes and eminent scholars (Abu
Zeid and Hamdy, 2004, El-Kady, 2003, ESCWA, 2003) in their
recent studies concur on certain factors that shape the Arab
water crisis. These factors in their interaction are
illustrating the complexity of the crisis and its magnitude.
Reflecting on these sources can draw the attention and bring
together the big picture, as shown in Figure 1 (Annex 2)
which reflects the complexity and interconnectedness among
various factors that shape the crisis, whether it is
internal or external, as well as, technical and
non-technical (cultural) issues. Inter alia:
� Water
scarcity and population growth
� Mismanagement
of water especially in the agricultural sector
� Problems
of trans-boundary rivers
� Limited
information on water resources
� Water
policy overlaps
� Water
quality degradation and water pollution
� The
growing gap between water supply and demand: the structural
imbalance
� Lack
of broad spectrum vision in water management authorities
� Limited
awareness of water issues
� Slow
transfer of technology from applied research to practice
� Shortage
of capacity building and institutional development
� Inadequate
stakeholder participation and gender issues in water
management
� Political
pressures imposed by anti-Arab parties in the region
� Shortage
of available funds for water development and conservation
projects
� Rejection
of changing the unfavorable social habits and attitudes
towards water uses due to poor public awareness programs |