Pick of the week – reflecting on water

Last week, Channel 16 reported that at least 5.4 million Pakistanis had been affected by floods, and that almost 3 million Afghans might face food insecurity as a result of drought: a stark demonstration of the power of water to make or break human lives. This pick of the week brings you the recent pieces that have reflected the many problems rooted in a lack of access to clean water around the world, and those that come in the wake of an excess of it.

1. ‘How Does Lack of Water Affect Women and Children?‘
This brilliant ‘Interactive Infographic‘ allows you to click on images to learn more about how the daily role of collecting water adversely affects many women and children in the developing world.

Also, read this piece from the United Nations Development Programme about the link between gender and water.

2. ‘KENYA: Education hard hit in drought-affected north’

Nearly 72 schools in north-east Kenya are facing serious issues  as a result of the present drought. Families are struggling to cope to pay fees due to the loss of much of their livestock. To find out more, click here.

3. ‘In Focus: Pakistan floods’

Meanwhile, over 7 million Pakistanis are now facing disastrous floods, for the second year in a row.  See some of the latest, powerful images from this catastrophe, which serves as a reminder of how the imbalance of water distribution globally is at the heart of humanitarian crises.

4. ‘Researchers Argue that Water Scarcity is an Issue of Politics Rather Than Supply’

Along with others, Dr. Simon Cook, of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and Leader of the CPWF’s Basin Focal Research Project (BFRP), recently argued that only modest changes would be needed to water management to increase food production across the world, but that political dimensions often get in the way. For more, click here.