Water Insecurity
Water insecurity is the inability of individuals or populations to access sufficient quantities of clean water to meet their basic needs for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry. It arises from physical water scarcity (insufficient water) or economic water scarcity (insufficient money or infrastructure to access available water).
Real World
Sub-Saharan African nations like Chad face economic water scarcity: Lake Chad has shrunk by 90% since the 1960s due to irrigation abstraction and reduced rainfall, yet communities lack the infrastructure investment needed to access remaining deeper groundwater reserves.
Exam Focus
Distinguish physical from economic water scarcity with located examples — examiners expect you to apply both concepts, not treat water insecurity as a single issue.
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