Causes and Effects

The main problems concerning water scarcity in Africa are the diseases from the unclean drinking water, dehydration, the lack of sanitation, and agricultural problems (not enough water for irrigation). Many of these problems tie in to each other which creates one major problem.

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Typhoid is a serious waterborne illness that is caused by the salmonella typhi bacteria, and is passed through the urine or feces of an infected person. This is a serious issue in Africa because it is mainly due to their lack of sanitation. Once the bacteria have entered the bloodstream, it rapidly multiplies and affects almost every system in the body. Symptoms of typhoid usually appear 10 to 14 days after infection and can range from mild to severe. This disease is usually seen in less-industrialized countries that are lacking in the drinking water and sanitation department. In addition to typhoid, the E. coli bacteria can be found in a lot of the water. This bacteria can be especially deadly because it causes diarrhea. According to the United Nations, more than 5,000 children (mostly under the age of five) die each year due to lack of sanitation and improved drinking water. Africa’s lack of sanitation also puts adolescent women at risk. They are unable to afford even the simplest sanitary pad during their menstruation period, and often resort to using old, dirty rags as an alternative. 

     Another problem brought about by water scarcity is dehydration. Water scarcity results in many people dying of dehydration. Dehydration can occur when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. In many countries around the world this is not a major concern because of the widespread supply of sanitary water. But in many African countries it is a growing problem. Dehydration is the second leading cause of death in children under five in the world and is responsible for 1.9 million deaths a year. Those are staggering numbers for something that seems so preventable. Diarrhea is one of the major causes of dehydration. Death due to diarrhea represents 17% of deaths among children under five out of a total of 11 million deaths annually in this age category. Diarrhea is mainly caused by infection of bacteria which causes food poisoning and viral infections. Typhoid as discussed earlier is another major illness which can also cause diarrhea. With the small supply of clean water available to the people, many drink unsanitary water which can lead to diarrhea and in the end dehydration.

The last issue is concerning agriculture and farming. Many parts of Africa, especially South Africa have a very low amount of rainfall each year, causing drought and many other problems with their crops and farming. South Africa’s average yearly rainfall in 60% of the country is a mere 500mm, which is the bare minimum needed for dry land farming. Another 21% of the country only receives less than 200mm. Without enough water to even irrigate to other crop fields, there is no way for the residents to grow enough crops to harvest for food, which can also cause malnutrition.