SYRIAN REFUGEES – NOT ENOUGH WATER
September 15, 2015 / Glen Reynolds
Jordan is one of the world’s most water-stressed countries. Even before the Syrian refugee crisis, demand for water surpassed supply. Below average and variable rainfall, population growth, unsustainable use of groundwater resources, and artificially low water prices encouraging excessive consumption are further threatening the availability of these limited resources.
Jordan’s severe water scarcity is also expected to be worsened by climate change and the associated desertification, reduction in underground water reserves and rising temperatures in the region.
Against this context, tensions are growing between Syrian refugees and Jordanians over issues related to water access and usage.
The Syrian refugee camps, Zaatari and Azraq, have been built on groundwater reserves. Zaatari, the largest of the camps, consumes roughly 5,000 cubic metres of water per day, of which 40 percent is serviced by these groundwater reserves. Unsustainable use of groundwater to meet the camps’ needs is a major concern for water-starved Jordan.
The international humanitarian community provides the remainder of the camp’s water needs by financing and paying higher rates for water than locals, which has the effect of pushing up water prices for locals and leaving Jordanians feeling further alienated from accessing basic resources and experiencing unequal access to water.
Tensions surge in Jordan as refugees compete for scarce water
International Alert – UK – Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:32 GMT
Author: Shreya Mitra and Janani Vivekananda, International Alert