Egypt is witnessing a severe water scarcity crisis, with per capita water availability standing at just 500 cubic meters annually—less than half the threshold for water scarcity according to United Nations standards, Hani Swelim, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, said on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The minister pointed out that the country depends almost entirely on the Nile River, which provides 98% of its water resources, placing significant strain on Egypt’s water management system, especially amid unilateral actions by upstream countries on the Nile. Swelim’s remarks came during a meeting with Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation. The minister highlighted the Egyptian government’s efforts to ensure sustainable water supply for all sectors of society, underlining the importance of providing safe drinking water and sanitation as fundamental human rights. He reiterated Egypt’s commitment to international water agreements, calling for collaboration and mutual respect among Nile basin countries.

Source: Egypt Independent February 11, 2026 10:47 UTC