The Arab region has experienced severe climate shifts over the past decade, with noticeable changes in weather patterns from declining rainfall to irregular timing and intensity, threatening freshwater resources and worsening chronic water scarcity in several countries.
Traditionally, some areas relied on seasonal rains to irrigate crops and replenish groundwater. Today, however, rainfall has become unpredictable, with sudden heavy downpours causing floods rather than replenishing water reserves, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Water Challenges Driven by Climate Change
According to a 2023 World Bank report titled “Climate and Water in the Middle East and North Africa: Challenges and Responses”, the region is among the driest in the world, heavily dependent on non-renewable water sources like groundwater. Overexploitation, coupled with reduced natural recharge due to declining rainfall, has led to significant depletion of these critical reserves.
The WMO also reported in 2024 that annual rainfall has decreased by up to 20% in parts of North Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, temperatures have risen by an average of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, increasing evaporation and reducing river and lake levels.
Significant Decline in the Jordan River
The Jordan River, one of the region’s most important water sources, has seen a dramatic drop in both quantity and quality, from 1.3 billion cubic meters annually to just 70–100 million cubic meters per year. This decline is largely due to soaring demand, driven by population growth in countries along the river, which has doubled over the past seventy years.
Some countries are seeking solutions, such as desalination and treated wastewater reuse, yet these approaches remain costly and require substantial investment.
Moreover, heavy reliance on groundwater in some areas has led to unsustainable depletion of these non-renewable resources.
Urgent Need for Climate Adaptation
The United Nations repeatedly warns that water scarcity could jeopardize economic and social stability in Arab countries unless urgent measures are taken to adapt to the new climate reality.
Changes in weather patterns are no longer a future threat, they are a daily reality affecting agriculture, drinking water, and public health. Policymakers and communities alike must rethink fundamentally how to manage the region’s most critical resource: water.
