Jordan is one of the world's most water-scarce countries. Only 100 m3 of water is available per person per year. For context, the UN defines water scarcity as less than 500 m3 of water per person per year. Unfortunately, the problem is only growing.
Water scarcity is exacerbated by rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and sparse vegetation in the country. A rapidly growing population, understandably, also reduces the available water resources.
Efforts to restore once-fertile lands have so far been in vain. In Jordan's Badia region, a group of women involved in environmental protection are looking for new ways to prevent further spread of drought.
"Jordan is mostly an arid or semi-arid land," says Maha Mousa, head of the Watershed and Development Initiative (Watershed and Development Initiative, WADI). The group works on restoring land or returning it to use. M. Mousa explains that 90% of Jordan's land is arid, and the country has only 1% forest cover. This means that most of the land is already degraded. (...)
Donal Boyd photo used