A/HRC/33/49/Add.3 I. Introduction 1. The Special Rapporteur on the human right to water and sanitation, Léo Heller, undertook an official visit to Botswana from 9 to 17 November 2015, at the invitation of the Government. The purpose of the visit was to examine the progress made and identify remaining challenges in ensuring the full realization of the human rights to water and sanitation in the country. 2. During his mission he had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism. He also met with the Attorney-General, the Water Utilities Corporation, the Ombudsman, local authorities, civil society organizations and the international community. He visited communities, health facilities and schools in Old Naledi (Gabarone), Kasane, Maun, Sexaxa, Ghanzi, D’Kar, Tubu, Shaikarawe and New Xade and talked to community leaders, human rights defenders, women, children and health workers. 3. The Special Rapporteur expresses his appreciation to the Government of Botswana for its cooperation before and during the visit. He thanks the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the country team for their support and assistance. He also thanks all the people who took the time to meet with him and to help him better understand the situation regarding access to water and sanitation in the country. The Special Rapporteur quotes one of the elders with whom he met: “Metsi ke botshelo jwa motho, motho a ka setshele a sena metsi” (Water is life; no water, no life). 4. Botswana has been successful in terms of economic growth and development, with one of the world’s highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. Its economy relies on diamond mining, tourism, subsistence farming and cattle raising, all of which demand a great amount of water. Yet, 19 per cent of the population live below the national poverty line and unemployment stands at 20 per cent. Botswana has a semi-arid climate and water resources are scarce. At the time of the visit, Botswana was in an emergency situation, with one of the worst droughts in its history. A significant part of the population was facing severe water shortage and people in the Greater Gaborone area and other cities were under starker water rationing on top of the regular water rationing, with several consecutive days in a week without any supply of water. 5. The Special Rapporteur was impressed by the resilience of the people as well as by the Government’s efforts to provide the essential amount of water to the population despite the difficult situation. However, he noted that water rationing hit the poor and people living in vulnerable situations hardest. The severe water scarcity level raised serious human rights concerns about water quality, water quantity, affordability, sanitation conditions and related health impacts. As water stress in Botswana is predicted to continue to rise owing to the effects of climate change and increasing water demand, the Government should not simply consider the water scarcity caused by the long drought as a sporadic emergency. Severe environmental situations should not be immediately translated into water shortage situations that affect people’s access to water. 6. Despite the difficult geographical and environmental conditions, Botswana has made impressive overall progress in the water and sanitation sector, with 96 per cent access to GE.16-12031 3