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Jonah Maas
Mrs. Barnes
English 112
6 April 2015
The Desperate Need
Millions of people all throughout Africa are dying daily due to dirty water, and there is
nothing they can do about it. They have no clean water to drink, and no ability to shower, wash
their hands, or brush their teeth with clean water. They must use dirty, unsanitary water. Every
time they take a drink, there is a risk that they could contract a serious disease from it, or even
die. This is what goes on across most of Africa as very few areas actually have access to noncontaminated water. Lack of clean water in Africa is very common and it is a huge problem, but
one that can be prevented through the use of simple things such as conservation and waterfiltration systems.
Water is one of the most important elements required to sustain human life, second only
behind air. More than 750 million people worldwide do not have clean water, with a large part of
this number coming from Africa. Over 2.5 billion people around the world do not have access to
an indoor toilet, another direct result due to lack of clean water (Conserving). This
demonstrates the desperate need to conserve precious clean water. According to the UN, A
report issued in November 2009 by the UN suggests that by 2030, in some developing countries
water demand will exceed supply by 50% (Conserving). This number also shows how as
developed countries conserve, this opens up opportunities for them to share with countries in
need, like Africa.

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Throughout Africa, a vast amount of deaths are from diseases spread in dirty water. For
example, throughout Africa, New cases of cholera have been reported in Migori county, even
after the county government launched a campaign to eradicate it (Seventeen New Cases).
Over one hundred have been diagnosed throughout areas in Africa, specifically, Nyatike and
Rongo. Some people who have been diagnosed with this disease have even died. This disease is
a direct result from contaminated water in Africa. They have free chlorine at public health
facilities to try and treat the issue. But, this problem will only get worse as the contaminated
water crisis has still not been resolved.
Also throughout Somalia, people are under a constant threat from dirty water:
Contaminated water and a lack of sanitation are killers in this country, where waterborne
diseases are a constant threat to health (Contaminated Water). Barely 30% of people in
Somalia have access to clean water, leaving the rest of the population vulnerable to diseases.
Large sections of the Somali population are at constant risk to diseases such as Acute Watery
Diarrhea (AWD), Polio and even Cholera. Just since January 20th of this year there have been a
reported 216 cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea throughout Somalia. This is also causing water
prices in Somalia to go up even higher, and it now costs more than 100,000 Somali Shillings for
one barrel of water. 100,000 Somali Shillings is over $5.00 American! (Contaminated Water).
Most Somali families dont even have the money to afford even one barrel of water. Many
families throughout Somalia are forced to drink dirty contaminated water as a result from this
lack of clean water. The contaminated water crisis is going on all throughout Africa, but Somalia
has it the worst.
Lack of clean water is a recurring conflict throughout Africa. Many Africans must fight
every day for survival. If they do have a small amount of clean water, they are forced to worry

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about when the next time they will have clean water again. This issue is only growing as the
population rises and more families desperately need clean water to live healthy lives. Africa
needs help immediately to resolve this problem, or else thousands of people will continue to get
sick and even die.

Works Cited
"Contaminated Water a Grave Threat to Somalis [press release]." Africa News Service 21 Mar.
2014. Global Issues in Context. Web. 4 Apr. 2015.

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"Conserving, Recycling Water Is Best We Can Do for This Precious Resource." Africa News
Service 16 Jan. 2015. Global Issues in Context. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.
"Seventeen New Cases of Cholera in Migori, Says Health Director." Africa News Service 13
Mar. 2015. Global Issues in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.