World Water Day: right to safe drinking water
Today on March 22, 2012 the international community is officially marking World Water Day, the main objective of which is to inform the general public about the significance of water resources and to attract public and policy makers’ attention to the water problems.
The UN experts made a conclusion that over 20% of the population (1 billion 400 million people) lack water suitable for drinking and irrigation of crops. About 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation services. In many countries water shortage and pollution cause major public health problems, curb development and harm ecosystems. Access to safe drinking water in Africa remains to be very difficult. Growth of population, urbanization, change of food, depletion of soil and water, increasing energy costs, climate change are the factors that threaten security in the world.
Participating in World Water Forum, that took place in Marseille, France, this year, GREEN CROSS INTERNATIONAL is calling for nations to develop and implement measures aimed at protection of human right to have free access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Founding President Mikhail Gorbachev said: "The world must urgently respond to the global water crisis to prevent conflicts, ensure fair access to this life-giving resource, and reduce unsustainable use of water and other natural resources to protect the planet”.
In this regard, Green Cross International is calling for nations to support two essential initiatives: implementation of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation in their own countries, and ratification of the United Nations Watercourses Convention for sharing cross-border rivers and connected watercourses. Marie-Laure Vercambre, Director of Green Cross International’s Water for Life and Peace Programme highlights that “by ratifying the UN Watercourses Convention, States will provide the world with a strong framework to bestshare the 276 transboundary rivers, the basins of which are home to 40% of the world’s population.” and in its turn it enables more efficient use of water resources and better access to drinking water. Green Cross International participating in the recent World Water Forum, advocated for the ratification of the UN Watercourses Convention and highlighted the links between the water crisis, sustainability and environmental degradation, including the harmful effects of climate change.
The issues of access to water resources, consumption of safe drinking water, basic sanitation, and food safety are relevant in many regions of Ukraine. Green Cross Ukraine tries to respond to the needs of citizens to get assistance in solving current problems. The organization is monitoring the situation of access to drinking water in areas affected by the Chernobyl accident. At present we are looking for sponsors and donors for the project "Drinking water in every home" in the Zhytomyr region, Nevgody village. The project is aimed at solving the problems of consumption and supply of quality drinking water for local population, resettled families, who are the victims of the Chernobyl disaster (403 people, including 71 children under the age of 18).
The situation is becoming worse every day. In this regard, we urge all who are not indifferent to assist in solving the problem of drinking water supple for Nevgody village residents. Every contribution and willingness to cooperate will be essential in realization of this project.
For further information, please, contact GCU office:
tel: +38044 464 16 04
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