Welcome to our first chosen topic: the shortage of water and its effects on the Maghreb. 

The reason we chose water shortage for our first debate is because this natural resource is dramatically impacting on the quality of life of North Africans while challenging their economies.]  

During my recent trip to Algiers this summer, I managed to taste what daily life is when water has to be rationed.   Waiting for it to come is a very serious event in the life of the average family.  Some of the basic and normal activities are scheduled in accordance to the release of water.  While water is released 2 to 3 days a week and a few hours each time, households use traditional and modern storage systems allowing them to survive in the meanwhile.  Kitchens, bathrooms and sometimes hallways and bedrooms are very often filled with water containers.  This situation has allowed the water container business in Algeria to flourish and grow  an unprecedented pace. 

Households and individuals are not the only one who feel the misery of water scarcity. The economies of the Maghreb have always been held hostage of mother nature. Agriculture is precisely the first sector to be impacted and when it is drought season, the entire economy slows and more imports are needed like in the case of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia this fall. 

The Maghreb region has indeed serious water problems. Should we blame nature for not being generous or should we open our eyes and realize that we need to cope with uncertainties of tomorrow and to be ready? 

In the water crisis that the Maghreb is witnessing, what are the various governments doing to face it?  Are Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia adopting the same water strategies and policies? And if not, what is the success rate of each country in handling water problems? 

Our editorial staff is currently researching this very important topic and we are inviting you to participate in shaping our final report due to be published next month. Send us your testimony, comments, and analyses on the issue. 

Sincerely, 
Arezki Daoud

[Water in Morocco] 

[Water in Tunisia]  

[Economic impact] 

[Safeguarding water]  
what Maghreb governments are 
trying to do  

[Comparing the Maghreb  
with other regions]  

[Water-101]  
everything you need to know  about your water 

[Dictionnary  
of Water Terms]  

 [Life wihtout water I]  
shortages in Baku, Azerbaijan an interesting testimony.  

[Life without water II]  
water shortages in the US. 

[The threat of water shortage]  
United States  

[Are we having a  
drought yet?]  
how to recognize drought  

[The critical role of  
water in agriculture]  
recommended reading  

[Social impact]  
water scarcity and the gender case  

 [Political impact] 
South Africa's case