Unblocking the cycle of water stress, crises and innovation in drylands

IIED is looking at ways to strengthen resilience in crisis-hit dryland regions, focusing initially on environmental challenges in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and the arid lands of Kenya.

Water stress and climate stresses in urbanising dryland regions can result in reduced human well-being. Short and long-term environmental challenges of concern to people in the drylands include water shortages, water quality concerns and depletion of groundwater tables. This leads to increased energy demand and costs for water pumping, treatment and regulation.

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For example, in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, the accommodation of displaced people from Syria and elsewhere has been blamed for making existing environmental challenges worse. But lack of strategic planning to alleviate their situation has left them reliant on inadequate sanitation systems and water supply infrastructure that was intended for other users and uses.

Read the full article via iied web site.

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