The Global Rundown
In Yemen, where most healthcare facilities have been destroyed by civil war, the number of suspected cholera cases has surpassed 100,000. The African Union has agreed to mediate a dispute over shared waters between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Civilians displaced by fighting in Marawi City, Philippines face a heightened risk of waterborne diseases as the rainy season begins. Water shortages will impact a quarter of the world’s population by 2050, which could lead to “intensified disputes” according to the UN Security Council. The Indian state of Odisha is setting up solar fences in order to stop human-elephant conflicts over water.
“Without effective management of our water resources, we risk intensified disputes between communities and sectors and increased tensions among nations.” –United Nation Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a speech last week urging members of the UN Security Council to view water as a catalyst for cooperation instead of conflict. The United Nations estimates that a quarter of the world’s population could face chronic water shortages by 2050. TIME
By The Numbers
40 Number of Zambians who have been jailed this year for fishing on the Zimbabwe side of Lake Kariba. Other fishermen have allegedly been shot for the transgression, according to a Zambian government official. The African Union has agreed to help resolve the dispute between the two countries, which centers on the shared waters of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River. News Ghana
101,820 Number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen, according to the most recent WHO estimate. The UN humanitarian agency declared that many Yemenis are now facing a “triple threat” of conflict, famine, and cholera. The disease has killed nearly 800 people since the outbreak began on April 27. Reuters
Science, Studies, And Reports
As the rainy season begins, the International Committee of the Red Cross has reported increased cases of waterborne diseases among those fleeing Marawi City, Philippines. More than 200,000 Filipinos have been displaced since fighting between ISIS and the government broke out two weeks ago. Relief Web
On The Radar
Officials in Odisha, India are building solar fences in hopes of stopping thirsty elephants from intruding on villages. Elephant-proof trenches and artificial water bodies are also being employed to limit the amount of human-elephant conflict over water. The New Indian Express
Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter
