UN: Contaminated water is more deadly than war
A report by the UN Environmental Program finds that deaths caused by contaminated water outnumber deaths caused by all forms of violence — including war. Fertilizer runoff, agricultural and industrial waste, and sewage are among the leading toxins that kill some 2.2 million people each year. Up to 60% of treated, potable water is lost to leaks in pipes and poorly maintained sewage networks — infrastructure that, if repaired, could provide clean water to 90 million people per day.
WHO concerned over drug-resistant TB’s spread
Drug-resistant tuberculosis strains are continuing to spread worldwide, despite some notably successful counter-efforts in places such as Peru and Hong Kong, the World Health Organization warns in a new report. The strains killed an estimated 150,000 people in 2008 with many more cases believed to be going undiagnosed.
Hundreds of millions in India lack access to toilets
A recent UN report finds that some 638 million Indians lack access to adequate sanitation facilities — a significant health hazard that causes the deaths of 1.5 million children annually. In advance of the Commonwealth Games, officials in New Delhi will build 250 new toilet facilities, one of a number of piecemeal solutions to the toilet crisis. Many Indians feel that a lack of civic pride and misplaced government priorities contribute to the problem.
Pope’s apology is insufficient for many Irish
Pope Benedict XVI issued an apology to Catholic victims of abuse at the hands of clergy in Ireland but offered no resolution regarding the punishment of clergy many Irish hold responsible for the abuse — including Cardinal Sean Brady, head of the Irish church. Critics say that the letter failed to clarify different Vatican rules regarding the clerical obligations to report abuses to civil authorities and internal investigations into church abuses. Victims feel that the apology does little to address the cover-ups that kept the abuse cases in the dark.
Malaria battle needs more funding
Annual funding of $6 billion is needed to effectively combat malaria, which continues to kill a million people a year, the Roll Back Malaria Partnership says in a report. Partnership officials say sufficient funding is critical to rapid anti-malaria gains and back wider distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets as an inexpensive and effective way to battle to the disease.
U.S. to undergo UN Human Rights Council review
This fall, the UN Human Rights Council will have the opportunity to review the U.S. human-rights record for the first time, as part of the universal periodic review process, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. The State Department argued that a strong review would give the U.S. high ground from which to pursue human-rights violators, though others warned that a poor review could undermine U.S. efforts.
China, India improved slum life
Driven by housing projects in India and China, 227 million people made their way out of slums in the past decade, the UN Habitat agency reports. But as cities grew, so too did slums, with populations rising from 776.7 million to 827.6 million.
Haitian families spread out in earthquake aftermath
The January earthquake has divided Haitian families, with thousands of parents opting to send their children to the U.S. and away from earthquake-ravaged areas. Most families plan to bring their children and loved ones back to Haiti once rebuilding efforts progress.
