UN Declares Water Crisis Emergency in Northern Africa

Millions at Risk Amid Prolonged Drought

The United Nations officially declared a water emergency across several countries in Northern Africa, including Sudan, Libya, and Algeria. Decades of unsustainable groundwater extraction, combined with climate-fueled drought, have left more than 34 million people facing critical water shortages.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “This is not just a regional issue — it’s a warning to the entire world.”

Water Sources Drying Up

Once-reliable aquifers and rivers have shrunk to historic lows. In many towns, residents queue for hours to collect just a few liters of water. Satellite data shows a 40% drop in surface water coverage compared to 2010, and Lake Chad continues to recede at an alarming rate.

Humanitarian Efforts Underway

Global relief agencies are mobilizing emergency water delivery systems and filtration units. The UN is calling on wealthy nations to contribute to a new $2.5 billion Water Emergency Fund. UNICEF has begun installing mobile water tanks in refugee camps across the Sahel.

Call for Global Action

Environmental experts warn that without global water governance, such emergencies could become the norm. “We must treat water security with the same urgency as energy and food,” said Dr. Leila Hassan, a hydrologist based in Tunisia.

Climate adaptation programs, irrigation reform, and regional cooperation are being pushed as urgent next steps.