CLEAN WATER IN ANGOLA
Basic Information
· Location and geography: Southwest Africa, arid coastline, rain forest, and dry savannah
· Government: Unitary Presidential Republic; President: José Eduardo dos Santos
Clean Water Statistics:
● 49% of the population has access to improved clean water.[1]
● In rural areas, 28%[2] of the population has access to clean water, while in urban areas, 75%.[3]
Population
The population growth rate of Angola as of 2014 was 3.3%, a relatively stable number.[4]. Proportionately, Angola has much less water and a much greater risk of running out of resources to suit its expanding population. Concerning rural and urban water accessibility, conditions are much worse in the less populated regions, as it is difficult to transport clean, sanitary water to periphery regions.
Where does Angola get its water?
On Angola’s border with Namibia, there is a waterway called the Cunene River.5 The latter country has access to 0.13 km3/ year, all of which is used for agricultural purposes. 5 Angola has a rainy season (September-December, February-April), and a dry season (January-February, April-September). Rivers like the Kwanza flow into the ocean, which causes large losses in the amount of water that is harnessed and used for drinking, transportation, or health.[5] Angola’s northern rivers tend to flow into the Congo River as tributaries.
Infrastructure
The Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) destroyed or damaged much of the country’s infrastructure. As of 2014, there are still about a million individuals living in refugee camps for internally displaced persons, where health and sanitation technology is lacking.[6] The infrastructure systems that did survive the civil war intact are largely outdated. Angola has plans to create a series of hydroelectric projects on the Cuanza River, which would help to boost the potential of the local economies, as well as provide access to more clean water.[7]
Effects of Climate Change
Climate Change refers to the changes to earth’s climate as a result of human activities, primarily in terms of the creation of greenhouse gasses that cause a rise in earth’s temperature. There are many consequences to the rising temperatures, rising sea levels and extreme weather. The effects of longer dry seasons and more droughts will be the top concern for Angola.
What is Angola doing to fulfill the right to clean water within its borders?
Angola is a signatory of the “Resolution Recognizing Access to Clean Water and Sanitation as Human Rights,” signaling a desire to better conditions and potentially work with others to improve water welfare.[8] In 2001, Angola created new legislation to oversee the national program to better water conditions and access to proper sanitation.[9] UNICEF is currently working in the country of Angola to help the state achieve the goals enumerated in the legislation passed.
[1] http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.H2O.SAFE.ZS
[2] http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.H2O.SAFE.RU.ZS
[3] http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.H2O.SAFE.UR.ZS
[4]http://www.indexmundi.com/angola/population_growth_rate.html
[5] http://www.our-africa.org/angola/rivers
[6] http://www.our-africa.org/angola/rivers
[7] http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2014/09/angola-plans-five-hydroelectric-projects-on-middle-cuanza-river.html
[8]https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiv97Ck3_rMAhUDPj4KHenOCXgQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.un.org%2Fwaterforlifedecade%2Fhuman_right_to_water.shtml&usg=AFQjCNHHUOmcvIA0Qs6G2SqTt-AsVzxTpg&sig2=D3NSqcoaMm9w25kiVuKO3g&bvm=bv.122676328,d.cWw
[9] http://www.unicef.org/Angola_wes.pdf