Tag: Drought

Over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries, facing inadequate water supplies that can restrict free water access. This phrase, however, carries multiple meanings depending on the context—ranging from a medical directive to a societal mandate during a drought or a consequence of global inequality.

According to the World Resources Institute, 25 countries housing one-quarter of the global population face extremely high water stress each year, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. When discussing this critical topic, using the right terminology is important, and finding an accurate synonym for water deficiency depends on the specific context—whether it's biological, agricultural, or geopolitical.

In recent years, millions of people in Ethiopia have faced food insecurity, with statistics from organizations like the World Food Programme highlighting the widespread nature of hunger across the nation. Understanding what are the major challenges for food security in Ethiopia is therefore critical for developing effective strategies to address this persistent crisis.

According to World Wildlife Fund estimates, a staggering 1.1 billion people around the world lack access to water, with water scarcity being a reality for billions more. This widespread issue is underpinned by the concept of water deficit, a fundamental challenge affecting everything from global food security to local ecosystems.

Water stress, primarily caused by drought, is a major abiotic stress factor affecting organisms globally. It triggers a cascade of physiological and biochemical changes in plants to cope with water deficiency, often leading to reduced productivity.

More than 10 million people in Ethiopia were facing hunger and malnutrition in early 2025, according to the World Food Programme. The question 'Are Ethiopians still hungry?' remains acutely relevant, as a complex mix of recurring drought, ongoing internal conflicts, and critical aid funding shortfalls continues to fuel the crisis.

According to a 2019 report, 37% of children under five in Ethiopia were stunted, highlighting the severe public health crisis surrounding malnutrition. The nutrition problem in Ethiopia is complex, involving various factors that lead to high rates of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and, increasingly, overnutrition.

As of 2024, approximately 15.8 million people in Ethiopia required food support, with millions more suffering from severe malnutrition, highlighting the severity of what is the food problem in Ethiopia. This is not a new issue, but a crisis exacerbated by a combination of interlocking and persistent factors.

Globally, boron deficiency is the second most widespread micronutrient issue affecting crop health, just after zinc. Understanding what causes a boron deficiency is vital for gardeners and farmers to ensure healthy plant development and maximize crop yields.