Human Rights & Public Liberties

Human Rights & Public Liberties

Newsletter
Published on: 13 Jan, 2021

Harare’s Water Crisis Worsens

Published on: 31 December, 2024
In Zimbabwe, the task of gathering enough clean water to drink, cook and wash is consuming many people's lives, with women and children bearing the brunt of the shortage [File: Chris Muronzi/Al Jazeera]

In Zimbabwe, the task of gathering enough clean water to drink, cook and wash is consuming many people's lives, with women and children bearing the brunt of the shortage [File: Chris Muronzi/Al Jazeera]

Zimbabwe’s water crisis is rapidly escalating, with the main reservoir that serves Harare, the nation’s capital, nearing a critical depletion.

The once abundant water source is drying up at an alarming rate, leaving the city facing an increasingly severe shortage.

What remains in the reservoir is highly contaminated, with dangerously high levels of toxins that have begun to take a devastating toll on local wildlife and farm animals.

Reports indicate that the toxic water is poisoning both aquatic life and livestock on the outskirts of Harare, further compounding the hardships faced by rural communities already grappling with severe water scarcity.

The growing crisis not only threatens the health and livelihoods of thousands but also raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the region’s water resources.

Agencies.