The Stream, February 20: FAO Says Food Security in Near East and North Africa Threatened by Water Scarcity

Water Scarcity
Food security in the Near East and North Africa region will be strained as the availability of fresh water could decline 50 percent by 2050 and the regional population continues to grow, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN News Centre reported. The UN has formed a regional initiative to address these water challenges, focusing on agricultural responses.

A $US 687 million funding package proposed by California Governor Jerry Brown would provide aid to workers affected by the drought, fund water conservation projects, and increase water recapture and recycling efforts, Reuters reported. The funding must now be approved by the state legislature, but leading Republicans say the measures do not go far enough.

Water Contamination
Approximately 100 metric tons of contaminated water escaped Japan’s damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the latest leak from the facility, CNN reported. The leak was stopped before it reached the ocean, according to company officials.

Contaminated barreled water sickened 511 students in China’s Zhejiang province with norovirus, Xinhua reported. The students, from local kindergartens and middle schools, were treated for the virus which causes vomiting and diarrhea.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek