Water Crisis

March 22^nd is set aside every year as World Water Day. Throughout the month and beyond, Missions Box will feature news, statistics, and human-interest stories that draw attention to multiple facets of the global crisis. This article shares insights into the Top 10 countries where the water crisis is worst.

#10 – Afghanistan

It should surprise no one that a country in the 40/10 window would be included in the list. Afghanistan is not the only one, as you will see.

It is estimated that 87 percent of the water available for human use (including consumption) is contaminated. Contaminated water is considered the root cause of health problems in the country.

#9 – Ethiopia

Sources blame Ethiopia’s high mortality rate on the lack of available clean water. The natural shortage in this landlocked arid country is compounded by water-intensive farming and poor water management.

#8 – Chad

Chad is another landlocked, arid country located in the horn of Africa. The country is plagued by severe drought and food shortages which often occur several times each year. The total area of Chad is about 800,000 square miles, about three times the size of California. Of that, only 15,000 square miles is water.

#7 – Cambodia

Even with the Mekong River, the longest river in Southeast Asia, flowing through it, Cambodia is a water-poor country. An estimated 84 percent of the population has no access to clean water. The people are heavily dependent on catching and storing rainwater for their personal use.

Remember World Water Day on March 22^nd.