The United Nations announced that drought could become the next epidemic for humanity if countries do not take urgent measures to address climate change. The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mami Mizutori, stated in a press release on the organization's website, "Drought is on the verge of becoming the next epidemic, and there is no vaccine to cure it. In the coming years, most of the world will suffer from water scarcity, and demand will exceed supply."
The United Nations emphasized that "people have lived under drought conditions for five thousand years, but we are now seeing something different." The statement noted that data shows at least 1.5 billion people have already experienced drought in the 21st century, with economic damages estimated at around $124 billion. According to experts, the exact amount of losses is several times greater, as the provided data does not reflect most of the losses incurred by developing countries due to this natural phenomenon.
It clarified that many people believe drought only affects desert areas in Africa, but it is now widespread and by the end of the century, nearly all countries will experience some degree of water scarcity. In recent years, changes in rainfall due to climate change, which is the primary cause of drought, have been observed, but inefficient water usage and land degradation from intensive agricultural activities also play significant roles. In this regard, Mizutori urged world governments to reform the way water is extracted, stored, used, and how land is managed.
