Libya, which has been classified among the driest nations globally, faces a severe water crisis exacerbated by limited natural water resources, and meager annual rainfall.
Ranking sixth in water scarcity worldwide, the North-African nation witnessed a staggering water stress level of 817% in 2020, with 50% of households relying on bottled water.
Al-Arab newspaper said in a report that Libya has experienced a significant drop in rainfall, with a yearly reduction of over two billion cubic meters of water. The agricultural sector heavily depends on irrigation, but water scarcity, harsh climate conditions, and poor soil quality severely impede production. Consequently, that has led to Libya importing approximately 75% of its required food.
The nation, primarily arid and prone to floods, sandstorms, and desertification, faces climate change as a major threat to economic development, and sustainability. Climate variations pose risks to agricultural output, impacting Libya’s modest agricultural sector.
Drought conditions led to neglecting water dam maintenance, resulting in the catastrophic floods in Derna last September, claiming over 4,200 lives.
The director of the Libyan Center for Remote Sensing told Al-Arab newspaper that there is need for vigilant monitoring, and effective measures to address drought-related risks.
Climate change endangers Libya’s economic and water security, with over 70% of the population residing along the coast. The United Nations and the European Union warned of the adverse effects on Libya, citing increased temperatures, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and agricultural challenges. The country’s vulnerability to these changes requires prompt action to prevent desertification, and safeguard water resources.
Libya’s diminished rainfall, with 90% deriving from non-renewable sources, highlights the urgency for effective water management. Over 80% of the population relies on freshwater pumped through the Great Man-Made River, with reduced rainfall and evaporation posing a significant risk to Libya’s water security.
The General Authority for the Environment underscored the importance of reforestation, to combat rising temperatures, dust storms, and sand encroachment. UNICEF expressed its concerns about desertification, emphasising the need to protect green spaces for the well-being of Libya’s children.