Water scarcity is a subject that has been given enough attention in the Mena region, where it is a serious problem. Its availability has always been a concern, particularly in the Arab world, whose population of more than 360 million people suffers from one of the lowest levels of available fresh water in the world, both on an absolute and per capita basis. As a report published last year by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (Unescwa) put it, the region's people live "in conditions that range from water scarcity to absolute scarcity".
Of the 17 most water-stressed countries, 12 are located in Mena, according to the World Resource Institute. The World Bank estimates that climate-related water scarcity will cost the region 6 to 14 per cent of its GDP by 2050, with 70 per cent of the region's GDP exposed to "high or very high water stress".
Although the economic, health and social impacts of Covid-19 have attracted much attention, in the background concern over water resources has been rising. Each country in the region is facing its own water challenges but more recently, a variety of factors have exacerbated them. As Unescwa notes, these include a reliance on shared water resources across countries (many of which already find it difficult to co-operate across their borders), occupation and conflict affecting people’s ability to access water and sanitation services, global warming and related extreme weather, pollution, ageing infrastructure, inefficient water usage and high population growth rates.
Only two per cent of the Arab region is covered by wetlands, and 94 per cent of those are vulnerable to climate change. This makes coping with future water demands critical for the region’s well-being. Climate change may be a global threat, but its impact in Mena is particularly severe. Climate-induced water challenges in an already arid region require immediate attention. And although shortages of water are not new, the ever-increasing demand for it, coupled with the impacts of climate change, is exacerbating pressure on this vital resource.
Climate change may be a global issue, but its impact in Mena is particularly severe
The compounding effects of erratic rainfall, rapid urbanisation, rising desertification and increased risk of droughts will worsen water scarcity. Earlier this year, several countries in the region were hit by storms. In Cairo, unseasonally heavy rainfall and widespread flooding left many urban areas struggling to access potable water for a month. And in other parts of the region, more frequent droughts caused by climatic scenarios are expected to result in increases in soil and ground water salinity.
The need to prepare for future severe-weather events caused by climate change to achieve water security in the region is key.
Beyond its environmental effects, however, continued water scarcity could have several negative social and economic implications. Climate change will be a significant factor in forced human migration, in large part because of the water scarcity. And as the shortage becomes more acute, so does the risk of water-related disputes. Globally, tension is building over increasing competition for resources. Researchers anticipate that this will heighten the risk of future armed conflict.
Already, must work has been done by researchers about the role of water scarcity in igniting the Syrian civil war and fuelling armed conflict in Yemen. Now, in eastern Africa, relations between Egypt and Ethiopia have become increasingly heated over a major dam project that is centred on management of the region's water resources.
Water scarcity has also been found to be among the root causes of migration. By 2050, it's estimated that between 150 to 200 million people could be displaced because of climate-related factors such as desertification, sea level rises and increased extreme weather events. It is anticipated that the two major migration tracks will run through Mena and South Asia, according to a new report released by the Institute of Economics and Peace. A global water problem is looming and the Middle East is not immune to it.
While regional co-operation has long been a work in progress in the Arab world, most Arab states are nonetheless highly interdependent, especially when it comes to water. They rely on surface and groundwater reservoirs that straddle their borders, so moving towards a regional approach to combat water scarcity and enhancing water governance is more important than ever. As with any shared problem, facing the challenge requires shared solutions.
The fragility highlighted by the pandemic and the interconnected risks of water scarcity requires renewed political will and a blend of solutions to ensure the region is able to meet its water needs in the future.
Maram Ahmed is a Senior Fellow at Soas, University of London
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm Underwriter
7.05pm Rayig
7.40pm Torno Subito
8.15pm Talento Puma
8.50pm Etisalat
9.25pm Gundogdu
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SPECS
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THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
Company%20profile
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Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars