Oxfam calculates that in ten of the world's worst climate hotspots, chronic hunger is projected to rise by a third in 2050 as a result of climate change, according to a report issued on August 24.

It added that there could be up to 216 million climate migrants at the global level by 2050, including 86 million in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Oxfam report focuses on the impact of climate change and the availability of water in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The report details the devastating effects of a water crisis sparked by global warming and the alternating of drought and ever more violent flooding in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Oxfam predicts an exponential increase in hunger, forced migration, and epidemics.

In ten of the world's worst climate hotspots -- Somalia, Haiti, Djibouti, Kenya, Niger, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, and Zimbabwe -- chronic hunger is projected to rise by a third in 2050 as a result of climate change compared with now, according to the report.

The report was issued during World Water Week, which ran from August 21 to August 24.

3 billion people without water by mid-century

Due to the effects of climate change on water availability in ever wider and vulnerable areas, the current 2 billion people in the world that do not have access to water will rise to 3 billion by mid-century, Oxfam warned.

"While global warming is being caused by oil, coal and gas, its harm is fundamentally being experienced as a global water crisis," noted Paolo Pezzati, policy advisor for humanitarian emergencies for the Italian branch of Oxfam, saying that it should be dealt with before it is too late for so many people.

"What we are facing is one of the most serious threats to humanity and those paying the price are countries that are already the poorest and least prepared, which paradoxically often the least responsible for pollution."

1 in 5 wells dug by Oxfam in East Africa already dry

In East Africa, over 32 million people are facing acute hunger and starvation because of a five-season drought, made worse by conflict and poverty.

Areas elsewhere in the same region are being hit by destructive flash floods and unpredictable rains, devastating people's crops and livelihoods, the report noted.

And the situation is expected to worsen, the report warned, noting that "the West Africa region will suffer similar problems as a result of this water crisis. Both regions are facing 8-15% more intense heatwaves and falls in labour productivity by 11-15%, amid mass migration, rising poverty and hunger, crop changes and livestock loss, and more water-driven conflicts."

Oxfam in Africa Water and Sanitation Lead, Betty Ojeny, who is working on the frontline of the drought response in East Africa, said: "One in five boreholes we dig now in the region I work, ends up dry or with water that is unfit for humans to drink. We have to dig deeper wells, through baked soils, which means more expensive breakages. This is happening at a time when donor funding for water is declining."

Middle East also hit hard by water crisis

In the Middle East region, by 2040 rainfall will decrease markedly instead, as will water levels and river runoff, sparking worsening food security, the report noted. Heatwaves will rise by 16% leading to a drop in labour productivity of 7%, with water prices rising with the demand.

This will lead to a decrease in food security in countries that are already often suffering from longstanding brutal conflicts, such as Yemen and Syria.

Only 32% of UN appeal to deal with emergency funded

Despite the situation and outlook, donor nations have funded only 32%of the 3.8 billion dollars requested by the UN to ensure clean water and adeguate hygienic services in the worst-hit areas, leaving the countries most at risk of water scarcity without the necessary resources for investment in essential and adequate water infrastructure.

Pezzati added that "wealthy nations that pollute a great deal cannot continue to pretend nothing is happening. To the contrary, it is crucial that they immediately and drastically reduce their emissions and increase aid to the poorest countries and those most at risk. We still have time to change the direction but we must act quickly."

Oxfam urged governments to shift substantial investment to improving national water systems and make this a political priority while supporting the UN aim of allocating 114 billion dollars per year to dealing with the water emergency at the global level.