Environmental Sustainability/Water

Facts for Action

I go to collect water four times a day, in a 20-litre (5 gallon) clay jar. It’s hard work! I’ve never been to school as I have to help my mother with her washing work so we can earn enough money. Our house doesn’t have a bathroom. If I could alter my life, I would really like to go to school and have more clothes.
Elma Kassa, 13-year-old girl, Ethiopia

Over one billion people (about one sixth of the world) do not have access to safe water
and 2.4 billion don’t have access to improved sanitation.
2 million children die each year from infections spread by dirty water and lack of access
to decent sanitation.
The average distance women in developing countries walk each day to fetch water:
3.6 miles.
MDG 7: The proportion of people using drinking water from improved sources has been steadily improving from 71% in 1990 to 80% in 2004, but there are wide disparities between countries and within countries. According to a 2006 World Health Organization report, the world is in danger of missing MDG targets for providing clean water and sanitation unless there is a dramatic increase in the pace of work and investment between now and 2015.