More than 1 billion people live without access to safe water and 2.6 billion people do not have access to basic sanitation. Today is World Water Day, and as was stated in post earlier this month, Life or Death in Each Drop, that while we in developing nations take each sip of life saving water for granted, each sip to a child in the developing world could be the drop that kills. Water for as simple as it seems is a complex and global fight, that has yet to see the finish line in sight. While many wonderful and sustainable water initiatives and programs are out there, the increasing population continues to strain the already burdened effort, and water and sanitation issue while have risen to
Last year, on World Water Day, 20 March 2008, the theme of “Stand Up for Those Who Can’t” played on ones sense of entitlement, by quite literally organizing the worlds largest toilet line to remind people that what we take for granted, is actually life saving. While we complain at the clubs and bars over the long lines to use the restroom, children across the globe are drinking water which someone else has bathed in, or for which contains human waste. It really does make one want to stand up, and World Water Day 2009, is focused on transboundary waters: sharing water, sharing opportunities.
…With every country seeking to satisfy its water needs from limited water resources, some foresee a future filled with conflict. But history shows that cooperation, not conflict, is the most common response to transboundary water management issues…We share the responsibility for managing the world’s transboundary waters for current and future generations.
lean water often affects the youngest victims hardest, and it can be a battle just providing adequate nutrition alone, however all of a parents efforts and a child’s care can be erased in one fail swoop with dirty and unfiltered water. For all children this can be life threatening, as diarrhea is killer, especially of infants who are often formula fed with contaminated water, as seen in the post Fighting For Infant Health in Indonesia.
Last year world leaders met in Stockholm, Sweden for World Water Week and put their focus on resolving the growing challenges of sanitation, climate change and providing drinkable water supplies to communities across the globe. At the top of their agenda was sanitation, as summit organizers stated lack of adequate sanitation costs the lives of 1.4 million children every year.
This year I began to feel like I was repeating what I have already said on the subject, and I quickly realized I was. While 2008 was the Year of Sanitation, which included such days as, Global Handwashing Day, and much attention was brought to the subject in comparison, it was little when faced with the dire need of those lacking the basic necessities of survival and access to water. Therefore I will leave you with what I left you with last year and hope that next year on World Water Day I find myself singing a new tune;
It is clear that the need for proper sanitation systems and education are gravely needed across the globe, and until they are met children will continue to needlessly suffer. Even when proper sanitation systems are in place children and their families must also be made aware of proper hygiene techniques, to prevent the transmitting disease. Furthermore it is crucially important that sanitation standards and needs be met in every country to ensure that sustainable development can take root (Clean Water and Sanitation a Must for Children).
Related Links:
Global Sanitation Fund
Global WASH Campaign
UN-Water
World Health Organization (WHO)
Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council
International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’
World Water Day site 2007
Water Aid
Children pay the price for lack of safe water and sanitation
UNICEF calls for children to be at centre of regional action on hygiene
UNICEF highlights water scarcity on World Water Day
PlayPumps International– uses the PlayPump water system,a merry-go-round attached to a water pump, and aims to install 4,000 PlayPump water systems in 10 African countries by 2010, bringing clean water to up to 10 million people.
Tap Project – UNICEF- Dine at Tap Project participating restaurants around the US during World Water Week, from March 16 – March 22, and donate a dollar for your free tap water.
The Water Project
El Porvenir supports self,help, community,initiated water, sanitation and reforestation projects in Nicaragua.
Water Advocates
