Utilization of Virtual Water Concept to Analyze the Water Scarcity Problem in the Arab World

Abstract

Fresh water is considered a toppriority environmental concern that captures special attention from the countries of the Arab region. Except for Somalia, Sudan, Iraq and Mauritania, water stress and scarcity dominate much of the region with increasing severity projected for the future. This research aims to analyze the water status in selected Arab countries and benefit from virtual water concept as a new water management tool for relieving the water shortage and the resultant food gap in some Arab countries as a case study.

In this research the virtual water content (VWC) was calculated for most of the crops that are planted in the Arab region. In addition VWC was calculated for the main products of crops, livestock, and poultry and livestock products. VWC of industrial products was calculated too in each country as a function of the added value of the industrial sector. The concept of virtual water was applied on nine Arab countries in this study. These countries are Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya and Morocco. The countries were chosen from the four regions of Arab world which are Arabian Mashreq, Arabian Nile & East Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Arabian Magreb, respectively.