Ever wondered what borehole drilling is?

Or how water is extracted from deep underground in very dry climates?

Watch our short video to find out more!

Self-supply of groundwater for domestic use in urban sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is common, but the extent to which it is practiced is unknown.

We developed an open data based GIS method for continental Africa (without islands) using groundwater storage, depth to groundwater, aquifer productivity, and population density data.

Furthermore, we developed proxies for public supply network coverage and socio-economic status, incorporating restriction measures for groundwater use.

Our results indicate that in 2015 about 369 million urban inhabitants (~79% of the total urban population) of continental Africa could potentially supply themselves with groundwater.

However, the likely number of urban inhabitants using groundwater obtained via self-supply was less: about 150 million (~32% of the total urban population).

With the novel GIS based methodology presented here, the urban population using self-supply groundwater for domestic use can be determined, which is essential to inform policy and practice, and to influence public investment.

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have highly variable climates, which affects rainfall, river flows, lake levels and groundwater. In many areas, groundwater provides vital water supplies, especially in dry periods.

This is one of a series of films from a 7-year UK-Government (DFID-UKRI) funded research programme called UPGro (Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor).

For more information, visit www.upgro.org.

This century, Africa is projected to experience very high population growth.

Expanding cities, growing rural populations and economic growth will increase the demand for groundwater.

This is one of a series of films from a 7-year UK-Government (DFID-UKRI) funded research programme called UPGro (Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor).

For more information, visit www.upgro.org.

UPGro research has added to understandings about how gender inequality affects the use of and access to groundwater for their livelihood activities.

Transition management has enabled sustainable solutions for water-related problems to be developed through constructive dialogue involving communities, researchers, NGOs and private companies.

Working together with communities, weekly radio programmes have enabled people to form a better understanding of groundwater and its management.

This is one of a series of films from a 7-year UK-Government (DFID-UKRI) funded research programme called UPGro (Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor).

For more information, visit www.upgro.org.

In dry periods, handpumps are often the only water source available.

UPGro research investigated the quality of water from handpumps in rural Malawi, Uganda and the Ethiopian Highlands and forensically examined why pumps were not working.

This is one of a series of films from a 7-year UK-Government (DFID-UKRI) funded research programme called UPGro (Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor).

For more information, visit www.upgro.org.

Groundwater is the water that is stored underground, in what are called aquifers.

Groundwater is recharged by rainfall and surface water such as lakes and rivers.

This is one of a series of films from a 7-year UK-Government (DFID-UKRI) funded research programme called UPGro (Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor).

For more information, visit www.upgro.org

Groundwater is extremely important for sub-Saharan Africa, and how it is managed and shared in the future will be central to securing people’s lives and livelihoods.

Groundwater thus needs to feature in policy discussions and for investments in the continent.

This film explains groundwater and presents key research findings from a 7-year UK-Government (DFID-UKRI) funded research programme called UPGro (Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor).

For more information, visit www.upgro.org.

Most disasters that could occur have not happened yet.

In this video, explore five major hazard types that countries must prepare for today to secure a resilient future.

A hazard is a process, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental degradation.

The classification schemes for hazards vary across different research institutions and governments, but these can be divided into five categories.

Watch now to learn more about these categories and understand why proactive measures are essential for ensuring long-term resilience.

What is exposure?

Short-sighted decisions like expanding cities into wild lands, building chemical plants in flood plains, and developing houses on active volcano slopes put millions at risk.

In this video, learn how exposure to hazards, exacerbated by climate change, can increase disaster losses.

As more people and assets are exposed to hazards, disaster losses increase.

If a hazard occurs in an area of no exposure, then there is no risk.

Learn how regulating land use and considering present and future risks in development can help protect people and create safer communities.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/component-risk/exposure

“Adapt or die!” In this video, learn three reasons governments need to adopt national strategies for disaster risk reduction.

By investing in disaster risk reduction strategies, governments can secure the well-being and resilience of future generations.

https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/business-case-for-DRR :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

“Adapt or die!” In this video, learn three reasons governments need to adopt national strategies for disaster risk reduction.

By investing in disaster risk reduction strategies, governments can secure the well-being and resilience of future generations.

https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/component-risk/hazard

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As water shortages and drought become increasingly common, cities need to ensure that communities are resilient to water scarcity pressures.

https://www.preventionweb.net/news/populations-grow-how-will-thirsty-cities-survive-their-drier-futures :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.

Early action saves lives.

This is how humanitarian funding must change to keep up with increasing disaster risk.

https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/key-concepts/anticipatory-action ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Experts from around the world have defined a list of hazards to help policymakers improve #DRR policies and better manage risk.

Read this report to learn more :

https://www.undrr.org/publication/hazard-information-profiles-hips ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Local strategies for disaster risk reduction need detailed assessments of risk, including systemic risk.

Data collection is an essential part of good risk governance. #ItsAllAboutGovernance

https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/disaster-losses-and-statistics :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Why is it so hard to predict an earthquake?
No scientific method exists to reliably predict where and when an earthquake might occur.

But scientists can forecast earthquakes. A forecast can tell us the likelihood of a future earthquake in a given region.

It can tell us how big the quakes could be and how frequently they could occur over a specific period.

Disasters can wipe away years of development efforts in just a few hours.

Communities in least developed countries (LDCs) are among those most at risk. In 2020, disasters displaced 8.5 million people in LDCs.

Many LDCs face a complex risk landscape.

A new study identifying regions around the world where people are most at risk from flooding caused by melting glaciers could help save vulnerable lives.

https://www.preventionweb.net/news/new-research-reveals-global-dangers-glacial-flooding

Too much or too little water? 75 % of disasters are water-related, according to UN Water.

The decisions we make can either reduce or increase water risks.

https://www.undrr.org/implementing-sendai-framework/sendai-framework-action/water-risks-and-resilience

Most disaster damage in the world is caused by events that go largely unnoticed.

Between 1990 and 2013, 99.7% of disasters were small-scale events.

Each event may take fewer than 30 lives or may destroy fewer than 5,000 homes.

But collectively they can be as damaging as the large disasters we all hear about. Read more: https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/key-concepts/intensive-extensive-risk

Here are five key factors affecting the impact of an earthquake

.- 1) The magnitude or size of the earthquake .- 2) The depth of the seismic activity .- 3) Local geologic conditions .- 4) The density of the area affected .- 5) The quality of the construction

Ugly, smelly and toxic.

Harmful algal blooms are naturally present in most aquatic environment but they are growing larger and more severe posing risks to human health, ecosystems, and even economies.

Algal blooms frequency increased by 59% between 2003 and 2020.

Their growth is driven by pollution from agricultural runoffs, wastewater and stormwater discharge and other human-related factors.

The equivalent of 18 months’ rainfall fell on one Greek village over 24 hours.

Storm Daniel delivered 750 mm of rain to Zagora, Greece, on 5-6 September 2023.

Mediterranean super-storms have been called ‘medicanes’ combining the words ‘Mediterranean’ with ‘hurricane’.

Storm Daniel unleashed devastation across Bulgaria, Türkiye, Greece and Libya.

Howling winds reached 85km/h, and torrential rain destroyed infrastructure, displacing thousands.

Libya suffered 20,000+ deaths when dams burst, flooding residential areas.

Medicanes’ infrequency means climate models have little data to draw on, making them difficult to study and predict.

Countries must prepare for a future with more extreme weather, and infrastructure must be built to last.

Desert dust storms are causing a public health crisis.

Humans have contended with them for thousands of years.

But modern desert dust storms differ from their preindustrial counterparts.

ResilienceForAll

https://www.preventionweb.net/news/desert-dust-storms-carry-human-made-toxic-pollutants-and-health-risk-extends-indoors