PACJA Urges the International Community to Understand Conflicts and Water Crisis nexus

Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) urges the international community to understand the nexus between conflicts and water   crisis. The call was made  at  the a high level side event under the theme: “ Water in a hungry world”.  The event was organized in partnership with Global water partnership, Environmental Defense Fund among other organizations taking place on the sidelines of  UN water conference  taking place  in New York  from March 22 to 24 , 2023.

Speaking to participants, the Executive Director of Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, elaborated on the need to understand the nexus between water and climate change. He indicated that the conflict being experienced in the horn of Africa is because of water crisis emanating from climate change.

“We must approach water issue at the local level to ensure reliability, equity and access of water especially to the rural poor,” said Dr. Mithika Mwenda.

In line with the UN water conference 2023, António GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the United Nations  reiterated  that “it must result in a bold Water Action Agenda that gives our world’s lifeblood the commitment it deserves”.

In Africa, PACJA is leading the way through Clim-Sec Africa initiative which was launched in Niger during the Africa Forum on Sustainable Development. The initiative will be driven by three main objectives including Generation of knowledge and innovations for wide-scale adoption, strengthening capacities of individuals and institutions operating in the hotspots and Promoting partnerships and stakeholder engagement for greater impact.

The Stockholm Environmental Institute observes that  the combination of political instability  and disasters has contributed  to an increase in the number  of internal displaced people and  refugees  in Africa. According to International Displacement Monitoring center report, about  40.5 million people  were newly displace in 2020. At least 27% of them are from sub-Saharan Africa.