Africa Water Atlas Summary PDF Download

This Atlas is a visual account of Africa's endowment and use of water resources, revealed through 224 maps and 104 satellite images as well as some 500 graphics and hundreds of compelling photos. However the Atlas is more than a collection of static maps and images accompanied by informative facts and figures: its visual elements vividly illustrate a succinct narrative describing and analyzing Africa's water issues and exemplifying them through the use of case studies. It gathers information about water in Africa and its role in the economy and development, health, food security, transboundary cooperation, capacity building and environmental change. Highlightsthe salient water issues each of 53 countries faces and tallies the progress they have made towards the Millennium Development Goals' water-related targets. Underscores the still highly inadequate access to potable water and proper sanitation in most countries and complemented by information about novel strategies and tools that could help to overcome obstacles (from physical, to technical and political) to achieving these targets. UNEP undertook the production of this Atlas at the request of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) and in cooperation with the African Union, European Union, United States State Department, United States Geological Survey and other collaborators.