U.S. Water News Online
LONDON -- Kenya and South Africa are likely to be the only sub-Saharan African countries facing severe water shortages over the next 20 years, a report says.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) warns also that by 2025, the two countries will be the only ones outside of the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian sub-continent in which more than 40 per cent of fresh water stocks will be depleted.
People worldwide have to change their eating habits for there to be enough food for the growing population, the report adds.
Groundwater levels will fall and rivers will become even more stressed.
Wildlife will face growing water shortages, as will cattle and other livestock in the affected countries.
The institute, which is looking into global options for feeding people in countries with water problems, calls for a change in the use the commodity to grow food.
It takes about 9,680 litres of water to produce a kilo of beef, as opposed to just 1,390 litres to produce a kilo of maize, its researcher says.
"There will be enough food for everyone on average in 20 years' time, but unless we change the way that we grow it, there will be a lot more malnourished people," says Dr David Molden, a leading IWMI scientist.
In a related development, Water Development permanent secretary George Khroda said Kenya needed more than Sh30 billion in the next 11 years to meet its water and sanitation needs.
Addressing a water workshop in Nairobi, he said the funds would be needed to provide clean water to 10 million people and improve sanitation for 18 million others.
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