Abstract
Yemen is currently in the midst of great unrest. Amongst many
different conflicts there is one that receives less attention than
others, that of water. Yemen is expected to be the first country
in the world to run out of water. By 2025 the estimated 4.2
million inhabitants of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, may become
water refugees. This water crisis is caused by the scarcity of
available water in Yemen owing to its arid climate, limited
rainfall and the absence of permanent rivers. In addition overexploitation
of groundwater and the contamination of water
resources are major problems. This water crisis has brought
about enormous instability and conflict in this country, resulting
in about 4000 deaths a year. Furthermore, 90 per cent of
the 17.5 million citizens do not have access to sufficient
amounts of water and only 40 per cent have access to safe
drinking water and sanitation; 80 per cent of its water
resources are consumed by the agricultural sector. Therefore,
aiming towards equal access to water for citizens, especially
water for personal and domestic uses as formulated by the
human right to water, is essential for a stable future. Law can
contribute to reaching this goal.
different conflicts there is one that receives less attention than
others, that of water. Yemen is expected to be the first country
in the world to run out of water. By 2025 the estimated 4.2
million inhabitants of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, may become
water refugees. This water crisis is caused by the scarcity of
available water in Yemen owing to its arid climate, limited
rainfall and the absence of permanent rivers. In addition overexploitation
of groundwater and the contamination of water
resources are major problems. This water crisis has brought
about enormous instability and conflict in this country, resulting
in about 4000 deaths a year. Furthermore, 90 per cent of
the 17.5 million citizens do not have access to sufficient
amounts of water and only 40 per cent have access to safe
drinking water and sanitation; 80 per cent of its water
resources are consumed by the agricultural sector. Therefore,
aiming towards equal access to water for citizens, especially
water for personal and domestic uses as formulated by the
human right to water, is essential for a stable future. Law can
contribute to reaching this goal.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 199-207 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Water Law |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 5-6 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |