Population Explosion.. Total Disaster [Archives:2000/30/Viewpoint]

All indications today show that unless the government takes serious measures in reducing population growth, Yemen is prone to facing a disaster in the near, not far, future. With a growth rate of 3.4%, Yemen is the country with highest rate population growth. When observing the high poverty and illiteracy levels in the country, one can realize the true dimension of the problem.
It has been repeated tens of times before in conferences and seminars worldwide. Experts in humanitarian organizations, in the World Bank, in the IMF, and in many other organizations have warned Yemen of a future disaster because of the shortage of water to meet the needs of the growing populations. Yet, not much is being done. There seems to be no awareness campaigns, no serious steps to provide alternatives, and no willingness in politicians to tackle this serious issue. What are we waiting for? Does the government think that these problems will be solved in the course of time without any effort? Or is it just taking the Yemeni nation for granted?
Experts say that the population will become more than 30 million by the end of 2020. By then, the water levels of Sanaa basin would have dried, causing a human disaster to the millions living in Sanaa. Where will these people go? How will their water needs be met?
It is in the hands of the government to prevent such a catastrophe from occurring.
Apart from all the miseries Yemenis are facing, another major challenge is posed by Qat. With an increasing demand on qat, and with an increasing qat-chewing population, the demand for water is also increasing, so it is even more likely to have the water shortage earlier than anticipated.
We are talking about political disputes, internal affairs, external affairs, how this party accused the other, how the press is being oppressed, and other human rights issues. However, no one is talking of how close we have come to what may be called “dooms day” without giving this any attention. The population is exploding, and we seem to be more worried about other less important issues, leaving the issue of water and population aside.
Sometimes in life, one may not be able to follow up with everything, but one should at least follow-up with what is vital for our generation and generations to come. Specialists everywhere in the world are quite surprised at the level of ignorance and lack of perception our politicians have, despite the fact that our country is heading to a disaster. What has gone wrong with them? Can’t they think any more? Are common questions being asked by these who realize the dimensions of the danger? But the answer to these questions is not an answer that reflects the responsibility of a politician or member of parliament who has been given the responsibility of representing the nation and who is supposed to be doing what is best for it.
As journalists, we can not replace the government. However, the best thing we can do is guide, direct, help, recommend, and turn the attention of the decision makers to such issues that concern you, me, and all of us. If even after we do our part, the government still does not respond, all we can do is continue our mission, and await the kind of catastrophe ignorance and irresponsibility of our politicians would lead us to.

Walid Al-Saqqaf
Chief Editor

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