People and the Environment

People's well being is inextricably linked to their environment, as they directly depend on it for air, water, food, other basic needs and their varying livelihoods. In the Kunene River basin rural livelihoods, such as rainfed agriculture and pastoralism, are directly dependent on the availability of water and fodder, two essential ecosystem services. Access to freshwater is also important for human health and development.

Water collection in Namacunde, Angola.

Source: Vogel 2010

( click to enlarge )

Chapter Summary

This chapter covers the following concepts and material:

• Ecosystem Goods and Services and how they contribute to human welfare
• An overview of Livelihoods of rural people in the basin;
• Food Security initiatives in the basin countries;
• Access to Water within the Kunene River basin in terms of improved drinking water supply, water collection and general water access; and
  
• An overview of the state of Sanitation and Hygiene in Angola and Namibia and the presence of Water and Sanitation related Diseases that could compromise human health.