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Position Paper

Niger faces severe water scarcity that negatively impacts its economy, health, education, and development. Over 10 million people in Niger lack access to clean water, and the country relies heavily on agriculture for its GDP, which is difficult with so little rainfall. Niger has over 3 billion cubic meters of underground water but lacks the infrastructure to access it. Niger is working with non-profits and seeking international collaboration to fund infrastructure projects that can tap into its groundwater reserves and provide a sustainable source of clean water to more of its population in order to alleviate poverty and support development.

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124 views

Position Paper

Niger faces severe water scarcity that negatively impacts its economy, health, education, and development. Over 10 million people in Niger lack access to clean water, and the country relies heavily on agriculture for its GDP, which is difficult with so little rainfall. Niger has over 3 billion cubic meters of underground water but lacks the infrastructure to access it. Niger is working with non-profits and seeking international collaboration to fund infrastructure projects that can tap into its groundwater reserves and provide a sustainable source of clean water to more of its population in order to alleviate poverty and support development.

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Committee:​ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Topic:​ Africa’s Water Scarcity


Delegation:​ Niger

Water scarcity is a major problem that needs to be addressed. The lack of water effects
several different topics, such as the economy, health care, education, sanitation, and
employment. Niger is surrounded by the Sahara desert and faces desertification. Niger also, due
to water scarcity, faces poverty, water borne illnesses, only 6 year education expectancy (CIA),
and sanitation issues.

Niger feels the impacts of water scarcity greatly. More than ten million people do not
have clean water in Niger, which is around half of the country’s population (WaterAid). It is
difficult for Niger to get out of that situation because is is the fifth poorest country in the world
(USA TODAY). One of the reasons why, is that 40% of Niger’s GDP relies on agriculture
(CIA), and Niger only receives 2-87 cm of rain annually (Nations Encyclopedia). Without
enough water to sustain that lifestyle, it is hard to get out to poverty. That is only one of the
many means that Niger faces water scarcity. In the past, Niger has tried using hand dug wells, or
traditional wells, but that has led to contaminated water and laborious, time consuming work
(Koshland Science) which doesn’t allow time to look for jobs.

Niger has more than 3 billion cubic meters of drinkable underground water (Charity
Water), but few are able to afford the means to reach it. Niger believes that building systems to
reach that water is the main solution to addressing the problem of water scarcity within the
country. Niger has some non-profit organizations working to help with water scarcity. To further
raise funds, Niger is looking to collaborate with other countries to fund piece by piece these
structures. Niger has the most exports of uranium in Africa (Trading Economics) and also
exports gold, coal, and oil (CIA). With a trading system to build these structures to make sure
that the funds are being appropriately used, a lot of the country could have a sustainable, clean
water source. Niger wants to reach a higher level of development, and in order to we need to
attain basic water needs.
Charity Water: Our Projects-Niger
https://www.charitywater.org/our-projects/africa/niger

CIA World Factbook- Africa: Niger


https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ng.html

Koshland Science Museum- Safe Drinking Water is Essential


https://www.koshland-science-museum.org/water/html/en/Distribution/Community-Pum
ps-in-Niger.html

Nations Encyclopedia: Niger Climate


https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Niger-CLIMATE.html

USA TODAY- 25 Poorest Countries In The World


https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/11/29/poorest-countries-world-2018/38429
473/

Trading Economics: Niger Exports


https://tradingeconomics.com/niger/exports

WaterAid: Niger
https://www.wateraid.org/where-we-work/niger

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