Semi-arid

Dry climates are represented within the climate group: Dry

They are characterized by the amount of annual precipitation less than a threshold value which approximates the potential evapotranspiration.

The threshold value (in mm) is calculated as follows:

Multiply the average annual temperature in °C by 20, then add

(a) 280 if 70% or more of the total precipitation is in the high-sun half of the year (April through September in the Northern Hemisphere, or October through March in the Southern), or
(b) 140 if 30%–70% of the total precipitation is received during the applicable period, or
(c) 0 if less than 30% of the total precipitation is so received.
According to the modified Köppen classification system used by modern climatologists, total precipitation in the warmest six months of the year is taken as reference instead of the total precipitation in the high-sun half of the year.[19]

If the annual precipitation is in the range of 50%–100% of the threshold, the classification is Semi-arid: steppe climate

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Samburu tribe lacks access to safe drinking water - Dry spells due to water scarcity

Samburu tribe lacks access to safe drinking water - Dry spells due to water scarcity

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The Samburu community in Kenya are pastoralists as they keep animals which is their main source of livelihood. They move from place to place in search of adequate pasture lands and water. Due to the recent dry spell, water sources are dry and there is no water. Both women and girls are walking long distances of about 20 kilometres per day to search for water. This search usually goes on from day until night. In order to save the water they bring back home, some women and girls bath wherever they find the water. The long journeys they partake on in search for and carrying water has impacted their wellbeing as some of them are suffering from backaches. In addition, the water they collect is not so clean to be suitable for drinking, but because they have no other options, they consume this water resulting in them suffering from water-related illnesses. School children have to bring their own water in one or two litre bottles from their homes to school because there is no water in school.
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Lack of Indigenous (and/or cultural) and scientific knowledge exchange

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The Samburu community in Kenya has a challenge which is the lack of Indigenous (and/or cultural) and scientific knowledge exchange and the integration of such shared knowledge in water use and management. The challenge can be attributed to a language barrier. Because of this language barrier, it means that the Samburu community (especially women and girls) are not involved in decision making regarding water use and management. If the breaking of language barriers is not prioritised, the Samburu people will not be able to know how climate change is affecting them and their water resources. This will result in no information and knowledge exchange between the locals (Indigenous) and the researchers (scientific). In addition, Indigenous knowledge on water uses and management is currently not documented therefore cannot be passed on from generation to generation resulting in continuous suffering due to lack of knowledge.
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Water shortages and quality issues for domestic use in Platfontein South Africa

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The water supply in Platfontein comes from the water distribution system but it is contaminated and therefore not safe to drink. That might be because Platfontein is closer to Kimberly which is a mining town as water in mining towns usually has a problem. In Richards Bay (another mining town) there is a lot of salt in the water and in Kimberly there is a lot of dirt in the water. For example, if you were to boil the water from Kimberly you will see dirt at the bottom of your kettle with brown stains which are hard to remove. This just shows how dirty the water is. And if there have been water cuts for a couple of days and when you try to open tap the water will be brown, which is a major problem in Platfontein, hence the need for better water purification systems in place. As a result of consuming contaminated water, people in Platfontein are already suffering from water-related illnesses including diarrhea and skin conditions.
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