Aid for communities suffering worst drought in a century
Thousands of drought-affected households in Zambia and Zimbabwe will receive support from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund.
Christian Aid and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) will each receive £175,000 to enable both charities to provide cash to communities to meet their immediate basic needs, including food and safe drinking water.
SCIAF will support 1,530 households in Zambia with cash transfers of 600 kwacha, equivalent to £17 a month. Christian Aid will provide cash transfers to 562 drought-affected household in Zimbabwe and promote services that work to prevent gender-based violence, which can increase during times of instability following major disasters.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Between a record drought exacerbated by the climate crisis and ongoing cholera outbreaks, the current situation in Southern Africa looks very bleak.
“This funding will ensure people in some of the hardest hit communities can put food on their families’ tables, buy basic essentials, and safe drinking water – which is critical to prevent further spread of cholera.
“Scotland must fulfil its role as a good global citizen and a big part of that is supporting those who have contributed the least to climate change, through the worst of its effects.”
SCIAF Chief Executive Lorraine Currie said: “Right now, people in Zambia and neighbouring countries in Africa are at crisis point, with failed harvest after failed harvest.
“The root cause is climate change, which is ravaging the region. It’s making weather patterns more extreme with more intense, more frequent droughts, floods, and heat waves. Rural areas, where most people farm to feed themselves are the hardest hit.
“This funding from the Scottish Government will literally save lives. Working through our local partners, we will make sure the most vulnerable people are reached with cash grants which will give them the freedom to quickly buy what their families need to survive. These are our sisters and brothers and we will not forget them.”
Christian Aid’s Zimbabwe Country Director Aulline Chapisa said: “We’re deeply grateful for the Scottish Government’s commitment and support. This funding will enable 562 vulnerable households to access essential food items and will be delivered by our local partner the Zimbabwe Council of Churches. It will also help to significantly reduce levels of gender-based violence by improving access to information and support services.
“Sadly we know that during times of crisis and food insecurity cases of domestic violence increase. Additionally, with extra funding from Christian Aid, we’ll be improving access to safe water supplies and supporting people to diversify their means of earning a living. Ultimately this project is about life saving food assistance and building resilience and wellbeing in these communities.”
UK Government announces new aid to save the lives of mothers and babies in Ethiopia as UK warns of growing risk of humanitarian catastrophe.
The funding comes as the UK’s Development and Africa Minister, Andrew Mitchell, returns from a 2-day visit to the country, witnessing the humanitarian crisis first hand
UK calls on the international community to step up efforts to prevent a major crisis
More than three million Ethiopians, including mothers and babies, will receive lifesaving help from the UK through a new humanitarian aid programme and further support for the Tigray region.The uplift has been announced by UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell following a two-day visit to Ethiopia.
While in Ethiopia, Mr Mitchell set out a series of actions the UK is taking to help stem the worsening tide. He announced a new UK fund worth £100 million for Ending Preventable Deaths that is targeted on children, particularly children under the age of five, and also on pregnant and post-natal women.
The programme will help more than 3 million Ethiopians – mostly women and children – access essential health services. The funding will increase, among other things, access to family planning support, medicines, and childhood vaccinations.
In addition, emergency funding will help 75 health centres tackle malnutrition and other preventable causes of death such as malaria and cholera.
Across northern Ethiopia, millions of people are facing hunger. War and climate change have crippled crop production and driven people off their lands. The conflict in Tigray has left more than 1 million people displaced.
The combination of conflict and failed harvests in northern Ethiopia have plunged over 3 million into a state of critical food security and hunger. Millions more people are in need, with women and young children in particular, severely affected.
The Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said: “The crisis is a wake-up call to the world. Food shortages are at a critical level. War has displaced people and decimated vital infrastructure. Climate change and El Nino have fuelled local exoduses with 400,000 displaced in the Somali region of Ethiopia as of last December.
“Millions are trapped in displacement, hunger and need. As ever the most vulnerable people, particularly women and children, are the first to be hit.
“The international community needs to come to Ethiopia’s side and work with our friends in the government and international partners to halt and reverse this crisis. In a region that has experienced the horrors of famine in the past, we must ramp up international efforts to avert a major crisis in the near future. We need to act fast and act now.”
The Government and international donors are responding to the needs of 6.6 million people. But as the Minister has warned, the number of critically food insecure people is growing rapidly and will reach 10.8 million in the coming months.
Mr Mitchell stressed that while the UK is taking positive action which will save lives on the ground, its efforts alone will not be sufficient to contain the crisis, and that urgent cooperation with international partners and agencies and government will be necessary to prevent the worst.
Meeting with the Government of Ethiopia, he also discussed the UK’s humanitarian commitment to Ethiopia, to women and girls, ending internal conflict, and issues affecting regional stability, including the recent Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the Somaliland authorities on access to the Red Sea.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is suspending water abstractions for most licence holders in mid and north Fife as river and groundwater levels become critical in the east of Scotland.
The water environment in the River Eden catchment reached Significant Scarcity last week, the highest category for water scarcity defined by SEPA, and is getting worse with hot and dry weather continuing.
The Tweed catchment in the Borders is in a similar situation and has also now reached Significant Scarcity in the latest report published today, Friday 12 August.
A temporary suspension on water abstraction licences is being imposed from midnight on Saturday 13 August for the vast majority of farmers in the River Eden catchment to allow levels to recover. We’re working with Scottish Government to assess the options around soft fruit production, which is a perennial crop and typically has more efficient irrigation methods and a lower water impact.
Abstractors in the Tweed catchment are also being contacted to confirm next steps and any licence suspensions in this area will take effect early next week.
Suspensions are part of Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan, which is designed to ensure the correct balance is struck between protecting the environment and providing resource for human and economic activity during prolonged dry periods.
The Plan clearly sets out what actions SEPA and abstractors are required to take at each stage of water scarcity. Suspensions are predominantly within the agriculture sector, will be for the minimum time necessary and will be lifted as soon as possible.
Those abstractors affected will receive suspension notices. Continuing to abstract without a licence is an offence, and SEPA officers will be visiting abstractors to ensure compliance. As soon as conditions improve, we will lift the suspensions.
David Harley, Interim Chief Officer Circular Economy for SEPA, said: “Having to impose suspensions on water abstractions underlines the severity of the conditions being experienced in the east of Scotland this summer. It is not a step we take lightly, but the evidence is clear, and it is one we can no longer avoid.
“We’re working closely with Scottish farmers to ensure the sustainability of local water environments for all who rely on them. Without action, there is a substantial risk of impacts on fish populations, natural habitats and longer-term damage to watercourses.
“With climate change leading to water scarcity becoming a more regular occurrence, we are also working to help businesses plan longer-term for these conditions. We remain in continuous dialogue with sectors reliant on water and work with them all year round on ways to become more resilient, protecting the environment as well as their own operations.”
While SEPA focuses on managing abstractions from Scotland’s natural water resources for agriculture and other industrial uses, Scottish Water maintains public water supply.
Protecting our water environment
There is clear evidence for the need to suspend abstraction licenses to protect the sustainability of local water environments. The main stem of the River Eden in Fife is at the second lowest level on record; only 1989 was lower. Flows at Kemback have not been as low for this long since 2003 and Strathmiglo is also experiencing its most prolonged low flow period on record.
In the Tweed catchment in the Borders, Lyne Station recorded its fourth lowest flow in 53 years, only 2003 was lower. Mouthbridge at Blackadder Water also dropped to its lowest flow since records began in 1974.
The combination of very low flows and high temperatures in watercourses leads to mortality of fish, invertebrates and plants. While some parts of river ecology can recover quickly, others such as fish and plant populations can take years to recover. Some populations, such as pearl mussels, could be permanently lost.
The current conditions are a consequence of drier weather this year, with only four of the last 12 months recording above average rainfall. The east of Scotland also experienced the driest January in more than 80 years and groundwater levels are the lowest they have been since records began in 2009. Although there has been some recent rainfall in the east and an immediate increase in river flows, it has not been enough to recover the longer-term deficits.
Impacts of climate change
Scotland is already seeing the impacts of a changing climate with an increase in water scarcity events over last few years. Climate change is likely to bring more uncertainty and may exert pressure in areas that have not experienced water scarcity before.
The current dry conditions are not just affecting Scotland. According to the European Drought Observatory the area affecting several regions of Europe since the beginning of the year continues to expand. The conditions, which are related to lack of rainfall and early heatwaves mean that 45% of Europe and the UK was in Warning conditions, and 15% in Alert conditions during July.
While mitigation strategies are of the utmost importance now, so is tackling the root cause of the problem. We know that there is locked in climate change we cannot reverse and, as well as adapting to this, Scotland must play its part in a huge reduction in carbon emissions globally so future generations do not face further locked-in change.
Further advice and guidance
Abstractors may be able to switch to groundwater as their source and can apply to do so on our website. Applications from Significant Scarcity areas will be prioritised and fast-tracked.
Anyone concerned about meeting licence conditions or wishing to discuss contingency measures are encouraged to contact SEPA by emailing waterscarcity@sepa.org.uk.
Areas in mid and north Fife are now in a Significant Scarcity situation, with the Tweed catchment counting down to a similar position.
SEPA considers there is now clear evidence for additional steps to protect the sustainability of local water environments in line with Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan.
SEPA to confirm next steps and further engage with farmers next week.
Any actions to protect local water environments would be for the minimum time necessary and would be lifted as soon as possible.
Parts of Fife have now reached the highest level for water scarcity, as below average rainfall in the east of Scotland continues to cause stress on the environment.
The latest water scarcity report, published on Friday 5 August, reveals mid and north Fife are now at Significant Scarcity, with the River Tweed catchment in the Borders expected to reach the same level in the next few days.
In line with Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is engaging with businesses affected, most of which are in the agriculture sector, and plans to confirm next steps with farmers next week.
There is clear evidence further action is needed to protect the sustainability of local water environments as the combination of very low flows and high temperatures poses a real threat to fish, invertebrates and plants. While some parts of river ecology can recover quickly, others such as fish and plant populations can be seriously damaged longer-term or lost completely.
The current conditions are a consequence of drier weather this year, with only 4 of the last 12 months recording above average rainfall. The east of Scotland in particular experienced the driest January in more than 80 years and groundwater levels are the lowest they have been since records began in 2009.
David Harley, Interim Chief Officer Circular Economy for SEPA, said: “It is clear that a significant area of Scotland’s water environment is stressed from the prolonged dry weather this summer, and conditions are only going to get worse as this continues. Although there has been some recent rainfall in the east, it is not enough to recover the longer-term deficits.
“SEPA understands the impacts on businesses facing these difficult conditions and supports sectors reliant on water all year round on ways to become more resilient. However, it is vital we work together now to ensure the sustainability of local water environments for all who rely on them.
“As we’ve seen across Europe, water scarcity is becoming more common as a result of climate change. Water abstractors concerned about meeting licence conditions or wishing to discuss contingency measures are encouraged to contact SEPA by emailing waterscarcity@sepa.org.uk.”
For more information on water scarcity and to view the latest report, visit:
Statement from the Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, on the humanitarian crisis in East Africa:
Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, said: “Friday’s agreement to resume Ukraine grain exports, brokered by the UN and Turkey, is a vital step towards alleviating hunger for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.
“This is welcome news for countries in East Africa where famine is also being driven by four consecutive seasons of failed rains and the impact of conflicts, with 48 million people now facing severe food insecurity.
“That’s why the UK is calling for urgent action to address suffering in East Africa and is also working with humanitarian aid agencies to tackle this crisis and to stop it from getting worse. This year, The UK will spend approximately £156 million across East Africa towards humanitarian crises.
“It’s eleven years since famine was last declared in Somalia, a crisis that killed over 250,000 people. We have worked with partners to build resilience and save lives over those 11 years and as the UN lead on Somalia, the UK is committed to driving a global response to prevent famine and alleviate further suffering.”
SEPA is working closely with businesses and individuals abstracting water to find alternative water sources in areas affected by significant water scarcity, including in Galloway where local farmers say the drought is the “most severe witnessed in a generation”.
Significant and Moderate Scarcity remains in place in many areas of northern and south-western Scotland.
The Helmsdale and Naver catchments have improved from Significant to Moderate Scarcity.
The Firth of Forth, Almond and Tyne (Lothian) catchments have been raised to Alert.
Many areas in the south and east of Scotland remain at Alert.
The latest water situation report shows that action is needed now to protect water resources. Areas affected by water scarcity due to recent warm, dry weather are often not the same areas as those hit by flooding last week.
Over the coming week, some surface water recovery is likely in areas where there is rainfall. However, a significant and sustained period of rainfall is needed to alleviate the very dry ground conditions and low river flows that persist across much of the country.
Alert Levels
Significant and Moderate Scarcities remain in place in many areas of northern and south-western Scotland with areas around the Firth of Forth, Almond and Tyne (Lothian) catchments raised to Alert.
• Significant Scarcity – Wigtownshire area of Galloway, and the Wick area of Caithness
• Moderate Scarcity – Helmsdale and Naver, Western Isles, Orkney, Doon, Ayr, Clyde and Irvine
• Alert – most catchments in the south of Scotland, many catchments down the east coast as well as a few west coast catchments
• Early Warning – the rest of the country with the exception of Spey, Loch Linnhe and Lochy which remain in normal conditions.
The latest weekly Water Scarcity Situation Report from SEPA shows that, despite heavy rainfall and thundery showers across much of mainland Scotland last week and rainfall forecast this weekend, the majority of the country is still seeing the impacts of water scarcity.
A short period of heavy rainfall is not sufficient to make up the shortfall of rainfall and much of it may quickly run off dry soils without soaking in. This is why it is possible to have heavy rain and even the possibility of some surface water flooding at the same time as water scarcity.
SEPA is engaging directly with operators that hold abstraction licenses to advise of the ongoing situation, ensure best practice is being followed and help find solutions. SEPA is implementing a fast track of CAR licences to support businesses in areas of Significant Water Scarcity and will implement a temporary suspension of abstraction to protect the environment in areas of Significant Water Scarcity where required.
SEPA has been working closely this week with Girvan Early Growers, a co-operative of local farmers in Ayrshire, on alternative sources of water to irrigate their crops. Continuous dry weather meant that it was looking likely that a temporary suspension of their SEPA abstraction licence would be required due to the severity of the water scarcity issue. Rainfall on Friday in the area meant SEPA did not have to suspend the licence.
The collective, which has a range of measures to save water, is facing an extremely challenging growing season.
Andrew Young, Chairman of Girvan Early Growerssaid: “Over the last 30 years we have invested as heavily in irrigation equipment as we could to try and make best use of the water available for our high value crops.
“Through good dialogue with our local SEPA representative, we have managed to sort out water availability and kept our customers supplied with the quality required. However, this year, despite the investment and support to avoid this situation, we are struggling as the drought is the most severe we have witnessed in a generation.”
Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency,said: “Everyone agrees that water is a vital resource and everyone has a part to play in reducing their water usage where possible. Even in Scotland – a country everyone associates with rain, water is a finite resource.
“Water scarcity is resulting in pressures on the environment and water users and businesses abstracting water must take action now to conserve water. We will continue to work closely with businesses who abstract water to advise on the best possible use of their resources and share best practice.
“Agricultural abstraction on average reduces at this time of year, however we are working to assist with solutions for significant areas of impact such as Galloway where potato crops are being adversely impacted.
“SEPA is monitoring the situation closely and rivers in the north are particularly low so plants and animals in those waters will be more at risk as a result. We are also receiving increased reports of Cyanobacteria blue green algae blooms which can occur naturally in warm dry weather.
“We are very much living through more extreme weather patterns – and one does not balance out the other. This is just one of the many consequences of climate change Scotland is facing, and it is becoming more common.”
Abstractors must act now
Water abstractors licenced by SEPA should have a plan to deal with the range of conditions they may experience. They should monitor their water usage and equipment to ensure they are operating at maximum efficiency and avoiding any unnecessary leakage.
By taking the right steps now, abstractors can help make the water supplies on which they and others depend last as long as possible through this period.
Work together to secure the water available – speak with other water users in your catchment to discuss allocating different times for abstracting to minimise any potential impacts.
Check irrigation equipment is not leaking.
Consider trickle irrigation.
Irrigate at night to avoid evaporation if you can.
Do not over-spray.
Start planning now to find an available source of water in case you need to – if you need a new borehole to do this, if your business is having difficulty obtaining water supply or is concerned about meeting licence conditions you should contact SEPA as soon as possible at WaterScarcity@sepa.org.uk.
SEPA can provide advice on a series of straightforward steps that can be taken to reduce pressure on Scotland’s water environment and staff are available to provide advice and guidance. However, if businesses deliberately fail to follow the abstraction guidelines set out by SEPA this may result in enforcement action.
Abstractors in catchments at Alert level or above, have been contacted to advise them of the conditions and relevant actions they should take as outlined in our National Water Scarcity Plan and requested to carry out checks to their equipment, consider upcoming water needs and follow best practice (such as irrigating at night).
We are also checking all abstractions in Significant Scarcity areas to determine what actions can be taken and work is ongoing with Scottish Water to protect supplies.
Rainfall and records
The River Strathy is currently at its lowest since records began in 1985.
On Lewis and Harris, over the last four months rainfall has been only 60% of the long-term average. Rainfall in Wigtownshire has been below average for June and July so far.
Across the Wigtown catchment, June rainfall has been less than 50%, and July less than 30%, of the long-term monthly rainfall averages.
Scotland as a whole had less than half the normal rainfall for June (45%)
SEPA warned in the Spring that water scarcity conditions could deteriorate quickly if a period of prolonged dry weather returned later in the year.
Scotland experienced an extremely dry April, with less than a third of the usual rainfall across a large part of the southern country. This caused water levels to fall rapidly and ground conditions became increasingly dry.
Ground conditions continued to dry rapidly over the last two weeks of July despite heavy thunderstorms in some parts of the country.
Recent rainfall has not been sufficient to markedly improve conditions, and so Significant and Moderate Scarcity levels remain in place for many areas in the north and southwest of Scotland, as well as Orkney and the Western Isles. Much of the east and northeast of the country is now at Alert.
Over the coming week, some surface water recovery is likely in areas where rainfall is forecast. However, a significant and sustained period of rainfall is needed to alleviate the very dry ground conditions and low river flows that persist across much of the country. The short-term forecast will see changeable conditions continuing to dominate, with a mixture of sunny and dry periods, showery periods and the chance of longer spells of rain. The second half of August will see more settled conditions where drier conditions may become more prevalent, although there is still the risk of showers or thunderstorms at times.
Public and private water supplies
Scottish Water is reminding people across Scotland to use water efficiently after confirming that demand is so high during the warm weather that it’s had to produce more than 200 million litres of extra water per day nationwide in the latter half of July to maintain normal supplies. More information on saving water is available at www.scottishwater.co.uk/savewater.
Those concerned about private water supply levels should contact their local authority.
Concerns about watercourses
SEPA continually assesses the impacts of prolonged periods of drier than average weather on our environment. The public can report dry private water supplies and rivers and burns in your area. This will help us have the best possible understanding of the impacts of dry weather.
The prolonged period of dry weather that has led to water scarcity across the country can put a lot of pressure on rivers, which are running exceptionally low and experiencing high water temperatures. We may see impacts on wildlife across the country as a result, including dead fish. Heavy rain showers, such as those we have seen this week, following the prolonged period of dry weather, will wash pollutants that have been accumulating on roads and pavements and in drains into watercourses. This first flush of pollutants, particularly into rivers that are still low, can lead to fish kills.
