Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023

The lack of rainfall at the beginning of the year has caused a significant reduction in the availability and access to water in the country, which has also been affected by the presence of the La Niña phenomenon in the region. On Friday, 20 January 2023, the Uruguayan State, through National Emergency System (SINAE), extended a formal request to the Uruguayan Red Cross for support in the evaluation and possible response to the current drought. According to SINAE, initial reports estimate more than 75,000 people affected by this emergency only in the five most affected departments of Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo, Florida, Lavalleja, and San José. Additionally, as per the information provided by the SINAE, the most pressing situation is related to the lack of access to safe water which is limiting the consumption and use of water, as well as maintenance of crops and livestock of approximately 1,300 families (5,200 people) located in these departments. Since October 2022, the national government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MGAP) declared a state of agricultural emergency for a period of 90 days for the entire country. In January 2023, the state of emergency was extended until the end of April and it was broadened to include livestock, dairy, fruit and/or horticulture, agriculture, poultry, beekeeping and forestry. (IFRC, 30 Jan 2023)

A considerable increase in salinity levels affecting the quality of potable water in Uruguay is affecting over 60 percent of its population, UN experts warned today. “The continuous decline in water quality due to increased salinity levels in its composition is alarming. This situation significantly impacts vulnerable groups, such as children and adolescents, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases,” the experts said. (UNHRC, 13 Jul 2023)