Felix DONKOR, University of South Africa (UNISA), South Africa
Kevin MEARNS, University of South Africa (UNISA), South Africa
A core theme in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is the co-creation of knowledge to inform policy and forming of strategic partnerships to inform sustainable development policy. The COVID-19 pandemic is considered as one of the gravest challenges facing modern society, since the Spanish Flu a century ago. Moreover, it has come with implications for safeguarding water security. However, water is a core component of all coronavirus pandemic containment measures from handwashing, proper hygiene to wellbeing. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic is argued to have further exacerbated the water security conditions of vulnerable communities with implications for realising the sustainable development goals. The concurrent impact of climate change and the coronavirus pandemic present serious challenges to water security amongst vulnerable communities in Africa. This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on water security and how lessons can be locked in to build back better. As the world commences the final decade of SDG action, post-pandemic response measures will have to be increasingly risk-informed and integrate risks from multiple threats. As climate impacts are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, such measures will help to safeguard lives and livelihoods in mountain communities so as to help Leave No One Behind
Mots clés : Water security|climate change|COVID-19 pandemic|SDGs|sustainability
A102406FD