Chad, a country already grappling with water scarcity, faces an escalating crisis as climate change amplifies the frequency and intensity of drought and flood. These extreme weather events disrupt the natural water cycle, threatening lives, livelihoods, and the environment.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Chad’s Water Cycle
- Drought: Chad experiences prolonged periods of drought, with rainfall becoming increasingly erratic. Between 1973 and 2013, annual precipitation decreased by 30%, causing severe stress on surface and groundwater sources. The resulting water shortages hinder agriculture, exacerbate hunger, and force communities to rely on contaminated water sources.
- Floods: On the other hand, heavy rainfall events, though rare, have become more destructive. In 2022, unprecedented flooding displaced over 1 million people in Chad, destroying homes, farmland, and water infrastructure. Floodwaters often mix with sewage, spreading waterborne diseases.
Water for Chad’s Response: Building Resilience
Water for Chad addresses these dual threats through its WASH and prevention programs:
- Flood-Resilient Infrastructure: The organization constructs elevated wells and boreholes to protect water sources from contamination during floods.
- Rainwater Harvesting: To combat drought, Water for Chad promotes rainwater collection systems, allowing communities to store water for dry periods.
- Sanitation Initiatives: Proper sanitation facilities reduce the spread of disease during floods, safeguarding public health.
Adaptation to drought and flood, and other effects of the changing climate is mandatory, but tackling these challenges is more efficient in the long run.
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Here is the link to our latest article : Protecting Chad’s Water Table: A Lifeline for Communities
Read more articles on our website: https://www.water4chad.org/blog/
