Recognized by the United Nations and the global community, World Water Day reminds us that much of the world still faces a global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) crisis, and that it is our urgent obligation to act.
This year’s theme as designated by the UN General Assembly is: International Year of Water Cooperation.
As a testament to this theme, efforts to coordinate events for World Water Day 2013 are taking place across the globe. This year, we are especially excited about events happening around the United States, including: performances, walks for water, social media, forums, learning events, Advocacy Day, and Water Symposia! For more details on each event, see below.
Let’s all help to make every day World Water Day!
SOME FACTS
85% of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet.
783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation.
In Africa alone, people spend 40
billion hours every year just walking for water. Women and children usually
bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, which
is unprotected and likely to make them sick. (source)
Time spent walking and resulting
diseases keep them from school, work and taking care of their families. Along
their long walk, they're subjected to a greater risk of harassment and sexual
assault. Hauling cans of water for long distances takes a toll on the spine and
many women experience back pain early in life. With safe water nearby, women
are free to pursue new opportunities and improve their families’ lives. Kids
can earn their education and build the future of their communities.
A clean water project nearby means
more than safe drinking water to women and children in developing nations; it
means time, freedom and incentive to change their communities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO SOME FANTASTIC LINKS ON THE LEFT
It is all so true. I remember when I lived in Mexico in San Jose de Gracia we had to walk clear across the village and carry water back in 5 gallon buckets on our shoulders for family use. Taking a bath was a real chore because first you had to haul the water, then heat it, then use it sparingly so that there would be enough water for everyone. To wash clothes we carried the laundry to the water and scrubbed the clothes on rocks, which wasn't very sanitary because the cows watered in the same area. The yet unmarried daughter dreamed of living in a village with "agua corriendo" (running water). The sad part was that she meant water running through yards in half logs carved out. Some villages had water in central locations though most that I visited the residents had to walk to the edge of town for water and animals were everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI really like your focus on water. I think my father would have enjoyed reading your blog.