Unsafe Water a global concern

People are struggling to access the quantity and quality of water they need for drinking, cooking, bathing, handwashing and growing their food.

Less people around the world lack access to basic drinking water service than some years ago – but several countries, especially in Africa, still have a way to go to provide their citizens with safe water access. 844 million people around the world still lack even basic access, according to the United Nations, who declared March 22 World Water Day. Let’s read more about the crisis prevalent worldwide….

There’s nothing more essential to life on Earth than water. Yet, around the world, there’s a global water crisis. People are struggling to access the quantity and quality of water they need for drinking, cooking, bathing, handwashing and growing their food.

The UN and WHO joint monitoring program on safe drinking water found that people lacking access to it are currently predominantly located in Africa. South and Central America, on the other hand, are nearing 100 percent access to basic water service (defined as access to protected wells or springs in less than 30 minutes distance).

An economic crisis

Time spent gathering water or seeking safe sanitation accounts for billions in lost economic opportunities. $260 billion is lost globally each year due to lack of basic water and sanitation. Access to safe water and sanitation at home turns time spent into time saved, giving families more time to pursue education and work opportunities that will help them break the cycle of poverty.

Women worst affected

Women and girls bear the greatest burden because in the developing world they are most likely to be responsible for hauling water to their homes. They spend an estimated 200 million hours collecting water every day. The average African woman walks 6 kilometers to haul 40 pounds of water each day.

 Girls who attend school until adolescence are more likely to drop out when they start menstruating unless their school has clean water, latrines, sanitary supplies, and hygiene training.

Benefits of provision of safe water

An investment in clean water, combined with basic sanitation and hygiene education, is one of the most effective ways to improve lives and fight extreme poverty. The benefits include:

Families become healthier: Water, sanitation, and hygiene programs work together to powerfully prevent the spread of most illnesses, and are one of the most effective ways to reduce child deaths.

Children can attend and excel in school: When children don’t have to walk long distances to get water, they have more time to attend school ane,Fast facts

 

• 844 million people lack basic drinking water access, more than 1 of every 10 people on the planet.

• Women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours hauling water every day.

• The average woman in rural Africa walks 6 kilometers every day to haul 40 pounds of water.

• One of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals aims to provide universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.

• 90% of all natural disasters are water-related.

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