World Day of Water
“Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. It is an affront to human dignity.”
-Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General [Source]
March 22 has been dedicated by the United Nations (UN) as the World Day of Water. The World Day of Water is aimed at promoting awareness on the importance of water and how it can contribute to the social and economic well-being of all societies. Water plays a vital role in every society, providing a foundation upon which a healthy life can be built. [Source]
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water-related diseases remain a leading cause of illness and death throughout the world. In 2002, it was estimated that 1.1 billion people worldwide lacked access to improved water resources, which represents an astounding 17% of the global population. [Source]
Ability to access clean water varies drastically throughout the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 42% of the population lacks access to safe water. People often need to travel far distances to reach clean water sources, a task which often falls upon the shoulders of young girls who must spend large amounts of time fetching water instead of going to school. Natural disasters such as droughts make the problem worse, as they increase malnutrition and make clean water more scarce. On the other end of the spectrum, flooding increases the danger of contamination of drinking-water systems, putting the population at risk of diseases such as cholera. Children are most affected by water-borne diseases, which are often fatal if left untreated. [Source]
The UN has declared 2005-2015 to be the “Water for Life” International Decade for Action on Water and would like the world to focus more on water-related issues. There is a great need to act now to improve access to water for people around the world. In the words of UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, “No single measure would do more to reduce disease and save lives in the developing world than bringing safe water and adequate sanitation to all.” [Source]
Taking Action
Free The Children’s Adopt a Village: Clean Water campaign is aimed at improving people’s access to clean water. By raising money to support clean water projects in developing countries, you can improve the health of impoverished communities and enable children to attend school. Learn more about how you can get involved in the Adopt a Village: Clean Water campaign by visiting the Youth Zone today!
On a local level, you can take action by helping to conserve water. Did you know that one flush of a Western toilet is roughly equivalent to the amount of water that the average person in the developing world uses for a whole day’s washing, drinking, cleaning, and cooking? Try to do your part by using water wisely! [Source]
Useful Links
Below are a few websites to help you learn more about water issues and about current international initiatives to help improve access to clean water.
World Health Organization (WHO) Fact Sheet on Water and Sanitation
UN Millennium Project Report on Water and Sanitation
Water for Life Decade Booklet
UN International Year of Freshwater (2003)
