Recently, the General Assembly took major steps to ensure global health by declaring access to clean water and sanitation to be a fundamental human right. The resolution outlining provisions for improved quality and access also reaches out to Member States and international organizations to ensure implementation by providing, "funding, technology and other resources to help poorer countries scale up their efforts to provide clean drinking water and sanitation for everyone."
The current dismal figures illustrate that such action has been long overdue. According to the United Nations Environment Programme 884 million people around the world presently lack access to drinkable water. Diarrhea caused by the consumption of unclean water remains a major contributor to the death of children under five years of age.
Low standards and shortages of water supplies have also been considered major links to domestic and international conflict. This is often made worse by privatization of water supplies that leads to higher water costs.
Click here to read more from MADRE about water as a human right and to learn about our efforts to provide clean water in Gaza.
*Photo credit: darkpatator.
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