The crucial role of water: World Water Day 2008
Water wells provide clean drinking water to prevent the spread of water borne diseases March 22 means different things to different people. To some it marks the beginning of spring, to others it means the end of March break, but March 22 is also a very important day all around the world: World Water Day.
What is World Water Day and why is it important?
World Water Day was created during the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro and is observed all around the world. By allocating a special international day for water, the United Nations recognized the crucial role water plays in our lives and the scarce supply of water in many parts of the world.
Across the globe more than one billion people drink unsafe water and twice that many do not have adequate means of sanitation. Sadly, two million children die every year from infections spread by dirty drinking water and a lack of toilets. [1]
Many communities have only one water source, which is often contaminated by people and animals. World Water Day exists to bring attention to the importance of providing clean drinking water and adequate sanitation for everyone.
Water is central to all aspects of international development
Improving access to clean water and sanitation systems in communities in developing countries is integral to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 because water plays such an important role in daily life. Providing communities with a well, water catchment system or sanitation facilities drastically improves the quality of life for everyone.
Fast Facts
- Two billion people live without access to clean water.
- 2.4 billion people lack access to proper sanitation facilities.
- North Africa and West Asia will be particularly affected by the continued decrease in future safe drinking water resources.
- Over half of the hospital beds in the developing world are occupied by people suffering from preventable diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.
Clean water and sanitation improves the health of a community by preventing the spread of deadly diseases and drastically reduces child mortality rates. It also decreases the time that children, especially young girls, must spend collecting water, instead allowing them time to attend school.
Free The Children’s work to improve access to clean water and sanitation
Free The Children’s Adopt a Village Clean Water and Sanitation program works to improve access to water and sanitation facilities in marginalized communities. Installing wells, water catchment systems and latrines, Free The Children has been able to impact more than 138,000 people worldwide.
Through locally-based education and awareness initiatives promoting effective hygiene practices, waste disposal and sanitation and providing complete health services in remote communities, Free The Children is taking action to reduce preventable yet fatal diseases spread by poor water quality and sanitation.
Ways you can take action to make a difference!
There are many great ways for you to take action and celebrate World Water Day:
- Gather a group of friends, set your goals and create an action plan to launch a Clean Water campaign. You can register online today for all the tools you need, including an awesome clean water poster with stickers to help visually track your fundraising.
- Get informed about how clean water and sanitation affect health in developing countries by checking out the Knowledge is Change section of the We Generation and the UN Water for Life Decade 2005-2015 Booklet.
- Turn off your taps and conserve water – appreciate how fortunate we are that water flows so easily into our homes and share your conservation ideas with your friends and family!
Helpful hints from helpful links
Read a story about the impact a lack of water wells has on girls
Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network. |
