1 Children, Women, and Water in the Sahel region of Africa Solomon A Isiorho Dept. of Geosciences Indiana – Purdue University Ft. Wayne (IPFW) & Edna O Isiorho, RN Allen Superior Court Allen County Juvenile Center Fort Wayne, Indiana

2 Introduction Location

3 Hydrologic Cycle

4 Presentation outline Introduction Introduction Problem(s) Problem(s) Nature of Lake Chad Nature of Lake Chad Sources of water Sources of water Diseases Diseases Solution Solution Conclusion Conclusion

5 Problems Global climatic change Global climatic change

6 Problems Population growth Population growth

7 Problems Global climatic change Global climatic change Population growth Population growth Irrigation Irrigation

8 Problems Global climatic change Global climatic change Population growth Population growth Irrigation Irrigation Education Education

9 Problems Global climatic change Global climatic change Population growth Population growth Irrigation Irrigation Education Education One major source of water…Lake One major source of water…Lake

10 Nature of Lake Chad Watershed Watershed Productivity Productivity Size Size Depth Depth Shoreline Shoreline

11 Lake Chad Basin

12 Productivity Fish & Others Fish & Others

13 Nature of Lake Chad Size & depth

14 Shoreline (Dec. 2002)

15 Water “Water is indispensable for life, not only for drinking water, but also for raising crops for food. Fishing provides a major source of protein for much of the world's population. Throughout history, cities and villages have grown up near sources of water, for drinking, sustenance, and transportation. “Water is indispensable for life, not only for drinking water, but also for raising crops for food. Fishing provides a major source of protein for much of the world's population. Throughout history, cities and villages have grown up near sources of water, for drinking, sustenance, and transportation. … Water-bourne diseases remain a significant source of mortality in many developing countries.” … Water-bourne diseases remain a significant source of mortality in many developing countries.”

16 Health Crisis “ Advances in health, sanitation, and nutrition have more than doubled longevity worldwide. The major causes of death throughout history -- smallpox, flu, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, plagues, and measles -- have been virtually eliminated as serious threats in industrialized nations. Yet, influenza, HIV-AIDS, diarrhea diseases, tuberculosis, measles, and malaria remain primary killers in Africa and other developing regions. Many of these diseases are related to poor environmental practices, including land and water use. “ Advances in health, sanitation, and nutrition have more than doubled longevity worldwide. The major causes of death throughout history -- smallpox, flu, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, plagues, and measles -- have been virtually eliminated as serious threats in industrialized nations. Yet, influenza, HIV-AIDS, diarrhea diseases, tuberculosis, measles, and malaria remain primary killers in Africa and other developing regions. Many of these diseases are related to poor environmental practices, including land and water use. Water-bourne diseases are estimated to cause 5 million deaths a year, particularly affecting children and the elderly. Schistosomiasis is believed to have arisen in the last few decades because of irrigation practices in hot climates.” Environmental Literacy Council Water-bourne diseases are estimated to cause 5 million deaths a year, particularly affecting children and the elderly. Schistosomiasis is believed to have arisen in the last few decades because of irrigation practices in hot climates.” Environmental Literacy Council

17 Health Crisis Contd “Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing a serious health crisis. It is currently one of only two regions in the world in which longevity is declining (the other is Russia). One million people die of malaria each year; ninety percent of these deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, five percent of all children in this region die of malaria. Seventy percent of all cases of HIV- AIDS occur in Sub-Saharan Africa.” “Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing a serious health crisis. It is currently one of only two regions in the world in which longevity is declining (the other is Russia). One million people die of malaria each year; ninety percent of these deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, five percent of all children in this region die of malaria. Seventy percent of all cases of HIV- AIDS occur in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Environmental Literacy Council Environmental Literacy Council

18 Water Who does the water fetching? Who does the water fetching?

19 Water Who does the water fetching? Who does the water fetching? Distance Distance Several kilometers (~5 miles…up to 5hrs Several kilometers (~5 miles…up to 5hrs Load/work Load/work 50 lbs of water 50 lbs of water

20 Water Who does the water fetching? Who does the water fetching? Distance Distance Several kilometers (~5 miles…up to 5hrs Several kilometers (~5 miles…up to 5hrs Load/work Load/work 50 lbs of water 50 lbs of water Nature of water Nature of water Safety Safety

21 Sources of Water Surface Surface Rain …May to September Rain …May to September Rivers…Chari/Lagone, ElBeid Rivers…Chari/Lagone, ElBeid Lakes…Lake Chad Lakes…Lake Chad Ponds… Ponds… Groundwater Groundwater Shallow Shallow Deep Deep

22 Hydrograph YearsMax. Levels Max. discharge Total Annual YearsMax. Levels Max. discharge Total Annual (cm) (cm 3 /s) 10 9 m / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Flood peaks and flow volume of Chari River at N'Djamena (Irivboje, 1991) Flood peaks and flow volume of Chari River at N'Djamena (Irivboje, 1991)

23 Hydrograph

24 Discussions

25 Drought condition

26 Drought condition

27 Lake serves as political boundary

28 Conflict?

29 Wasting Water

30 Water testing

31 Education?

32 Education Management strategy Management strategy interpretation and dissemination of information interpretation and dissemination of information eliminate water wasting projects eliminate water wasting projects involve stakeholders involve stakeholders conjunctive surface & ground water use conjunctive surface & ground water use

33 Conclusions Water borne diseases still continue to plaque developing nations with children and women bearing the brunt of the procurement problem Water borne diseases still continue to plaque developing nations with children and women bearing the brunt of the procurement problem Education and involvement of all stakeholders necessary to address the issues of children, women and water in the Sahel region of Africa Education and involvement of all stakeholders necessary to address the issues of children, women and water in the Sahel region of Africa