The Intersection of Water and Social Issues

Welcome to the Tideline. In this issue, we've got the latest episode of Dhikraa in Arabic with our own Mariam Younes . We're also taking you on a throwback journey to COP28 in Dubai, exploring the connection between agri-food and water in Spain's Almería, checking out Croatia's blue-green infrastructure, analyzing the effects of conflict on Gaza's agriculture, unraveling the secrets of olive production and the Nile in Egypt, investigating drought in Jordan and discovering the ins and outs of saffron production in Morocco. Dive in with us!

In Arabic, "ayn" in many place names signifies a water source, highlighting water's cultural importance in the MENA region. Places like Hazmieh in Lebanon, meaning "guardian of the water," also reflect this connection. In this latest podcast episode, Mariam Younes interviews Georges Gharios, an expert in water law and management from Lebanon. Georges discusses water's historical significance and its modern-day management in the MENA region, emphasizing its crucial role in shaping society's life. Listen to the first Arabic episode from AMWAJ now.

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The New AMWAJ Website is Available!

Explore the redesigned AMWAJ website for a more dynamic experience. Check it out here: https://amwaj-alliance.com/

AMWAJ becomes a partner of the Mediterranean Action Plan

AMWAJ is now a partner of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP). The MAP —Barcelona Convention System works with Contracting Parties and partners to fulfil the vision of a healthy Mediterranean Sea and Coast that underpin sustainable development in the region. The MAP was established in 1975 as a multilateral environmental agreement in the context of the Regional Seas Programme of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Learn more

Zeina Shahla, editor of the environmental section of AMWAJ’s media partner Raseef22 ??????22 ??????22, attended the UN COP28 summit held in Dubai in late 2023. In this article, Zeina’s impressions extend beyond the summit. She takes stock of the general mood at the summit but also reflects on the pervasive question of justice, highlights environmental disparities and takes a look at protests against the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Must Read

Discover relevant Mediterranean stories published by AMWAJ media partners on water-related topics.

Discover how environmental degradation caused by pesticides and fertilizer pollution, water scarcity and climate change are reshaping the social fabric of Spain's Almería, impacting both farmers and migrant workers. Read the full article by Neal Haddaway for AMWAJ media partner Nextblue .

To mitigate flooding caused by rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage systems and climate-induced intense rains, Croatia has opted for blue-green infrastructure such as parks and lagoons in Zagreb. Croatia is also involving youth in the ‘Can you hear our rivers’ project, writes Samantha Ashford, a Scheldt Youth Parliament member who participated in the campaign. By Samantha Ashford for Nextblue.

The ongoing Israeli conflict in Gaza is significantly impacting the agricultural sector in the region, which serves as a crucial livelihood for its residents and is essential for the food security of both Palestine and Israel. A report prepared by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics at the end of December said that approximately one-fifth of the Gaza Strip's agricultural lands had been destroyed as a result of the conflict. Read more here in the article by Doaa Shaheen from our media partner Raseef22 ??????22 .

Climate change has significantly impacted the olive harvest in Egypt in recent years, particularly due to heatwaves, which hinder the requisite cold hours for the buds of the trees to blossom. Reports indicate a decline in Egypt's table olive production, dropping to 500,000 tons in 2021 from the peak of 650,000 tons in the consecutive years of 2019 and 2020. Read more in this article by Mohamad Abou Shanab and Mirna Safwat for Raseef22 ??????22 .

Climate change is also affecting agricultural production in Morocco. In her article for Raseef22 ??????22 , Malika AKESTOUR travels to the city of Taliouine, located in the Souss-Massa region in southern Morocco, to speak with local farmers about the impact of climate change on saffron production. Owing to frequent droughts and erratic rainfall patterns, crops and fields face consistent destruction, posing a significant challenge to the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

The UN has identified Jordan as one of the nations most at risk of drought due to climate change. This investigative report, conducted by our media partner ARIJ Network , delves into the challenges faced by farmers in the southern Jordan Valley, where water scarcity is attributed not only to climate change but also to the dominance of an industrial company controlling the limited water resources.

A yearlong waste management crisis in Cairo has resulted in the proliferation of various illegal waste disposal sites. Solid waste dumped in these locations is predominantly burned, creating a health hazard not only for residents living near to these garbage dump sites but also to all living beings. Read the report by our media partner ARIJ Network .

Since the armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah commenced on 8 October 8, Israel has employed white phosphorus weapons in the South of Lebanon. This has led to the destruction of forests, agricultural land, and the loss of livestock on farms. Nasser Yassin , environment minister in Lebanon's caretaker government, is compiling a complaint file against Israel on charges of he use of internationally-banned phosphorous missiles. By our media partner Zawaya Media.

From late October to early November 2023, Egypt hosted Cairo Water Week (CWW), which represented the nation's endeavor to redefine itself as a front-runner in the Arab world's battle against water stress. This article delves into the water scarcity challenges confronting Egypt and outlines the government's efforts to mobilize various resources in addressing this pressing issue. By our media partner The New Arab .

We hope you found this newsletter informative and inspiring, and we look forward to sharing more updates with you in the future.

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