World Water Day on 22 March 2001 is a global advocacy and awareness-raising activity. It is dedicated this year to focus attention on water and health issues. The prime objective is to impact opinion on how to improve the current condition of water and health around the world.
International attention is increasing on such issues, however, much still needs to be done. With more than one billion people drinking unsafe water; 3.4 million people mostly children, dying every year of water-related diseases; and 40 per cent of the human race without adequate sanitation the picture looks gloomy.
In a report to be launched by the World Health Organization in Geneva on the eve of World Water Day - Water for Health: Taking Charge - simple but inexpensive, individual and collective measures are available that will provide clean water for millions in particular in the developing world. Such interventions include improving the quality of water in the home as well improving hygiene education at the household level.
The report highlights the fundamental ways in which water is necessary for health, particularly:
- The poor are most affected by health issues associated with contaminated water or lack of water and therefore have the most to gain by access to or provision of safe water;
- Under-used water interventions exist that can greatly improve public health, especially for the poorest members of society; and
- Stronger involvement in water management by the health authorities is necessary to improve people's well being.
A number of events will be organised around the globe on 22 March. Examples include: a 24-hour internet discussion about water between students aged 14 years and above, official WWD ceremonies in Morocco, school competitions, open days and articles in the press in the South Pacific. National celebrations are planned in Bhutan and Turkey. Italy, United States of America, New Zealand will have WWD festivals and public events. For details see: http://www.worldwaterday.org/events.html:
