Around the globe, nearly 1 billion people lack access to safe water. The scope and impact of this crisis are staggering. Illnesses resulting from a lack of safe water kill more young children than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. Tragically, the United Nations has reported that even more people die from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including war.
In addition to this catastrophic loss of life, water poverty cripples all development efforts. Water insecurity water keeps children, especially girls, from attending school. Parents miss work due to illness or caring for a sick family member. Existing medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, are exacerbated. Development is not possible without addressing water and sanitation. Climate change, population growth, industrialization and urbanization all threaten to make the situation much worse. Immediate action is needed.
While this crisis is devastating and getting worse, there is room for hope. Deaths caused by water-borne illnesses are overwhelmingly preventable. Dedicated efforts have unequivocally shown that solutions exist, and that progress is possible. Through concerted efforts by governments, organizations, and private sector actors, roughly 200 million people have gained access to clean water during the past decade.
This progress demonstrates the possibilities for solving the crisis; however, it is insufficient. Meaningfully addressing this tragedy will require unprecedented collaboration between all sectors of society in order to provide sustainable solutions.
In addition to this catastrophic loss of life, water poverty cripples all development efforts. Water insecurity water keeps children, especially girls, from attending school. Parents miss work due to illness or caring for a sick family member. Existing medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, are exacerbated. Development is not possible without addressing water and sanitation. Climate change, population growth, industrialization and urbanization all threaten to make the situation much worse. Immediate action is needed.
While this crisis is devastating and getting worse, there is room for hope. Deaths caused by water-borne illnesses are overwhelmingly preventable. Dedicated efforts have unequivocally shown that solutions exist, and that progress is possible. Through concerted efforts by governments, organizations, and private sector actors, roughly 200 million people have gained access to clean water during the past decade.
This progress demonstrates the possibilities for solving the crisis; however, it is insufficient. Meaningfully addressing this tragedy will require unprecedented collaboration between all sectors of society in order to provide sustainable solutions.
Source | http://www.globalwaterchallenge.org
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