CHALLENGE OF WATER SCARCITY IN THE UAE

For the UAE, the recent population increase, coupled with rapid urbanization and higher per capita water consumption patterns, arid climatic conditions with acceleration of extreme weather temperatures, and being located in one of the world's most water-stressed regions with severely limited freshwater availability has posed a critical and escalating challenge of water scarcity, with implications not only for public health and achieving prosperity and sustainable development, but also presenting as a threat to geopolitical security. By employing a systematic literature review approach supplemented by secondary data from official reports from UAE government and international entities such as WHO, FAO, UNDP, policy documents, global environmental frameworks and studies conducted, and peer-reviewed academic research, this working paper has scrutinized the causes of water scarcity in the UAE's context under the domains of water availability, consumption patterns, public health risks, and the effective-ness of current policy responses. Results confirmed that the problem of water scarcity in the UAE is being aggravated by low rainfall, averaging an average of <100 mm/year, climate variability changes, over-consumption of water by the populace, over-extraction of water underground, and ineffective conservation strategies used by industries and agricultural sectors. This results in an increase in the gap between demand and sup-ply of water, with a considerable dependence on the desalination process, which meets more than 90% of the country's freshwater demands and puts the natural water resources of the UAE under significant strain. The detrimental effects of water scarcity on population health have been identified as immediate, intermediate, and long-term implications. These include poor levels of hygiene practice, the prevalence of water-borne diseases, varied levels of malnutrition that may result due to poor water availability, higher rates of trans-fer of infectious ailments, mental stress issues, and the problem of population migrations that cause health crises with financial stresses on the healthcare system, and result in reduced production levels of the healthcare sector. Furthermore, lower agricultural productivity may result in food insecurity conditions that create a higher dependence on imported food products, making vulnerable sections of the community prone to malnutrition. The set of strategies currently followed by the UAE regarding water management, such as the 2036 Water Security Strategy, has also been critically assessed. These strategies concentrate on the efficiency of water desalination and water reuse. The current UAE water management strategies, including the Water Security Strategy 2036 and national programs focusing on desalination efficiency, waste-water reuse, and conservation, have also been critically evaluated. Despite recent progress achieved in water conservation efforts, addressing the limitations, such as modifying consumer consumption behaviour, real-time monitoring of water quality, engaging relevant stakeholders, intersectoral collaboration, and the prompt implementation of innovative approaches to reduce the environmental burden of energy-intensive desalination processes, is necessary in order to achieve an effective and sustained management of water shortages in this region. In conclusion, the way forward to address water scarcity is outlined in the form of multi-level strategies that integrate sustainable water desalination technologies, expand waste-water reuse, and incorporate smart water conservation systems. Offering better governance structures and filling the gaps regarding water policies and building public awareness regarding the issue can help the UAE not only assure its water security but also the health of its citizens as well.