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Water and Sanitation

Page history last edited by Samuel 14 years, 6 months ago

 

 Water and Sanitation

http://www.cleanwateraction.org/files/images/mn/baby-drinking-water.jpg


 

 

Around the globe, billions of human beings lack basic water and sanitation needs.  In result, sickness and death are common in underdeveloped countries.  The extent of this problem is greater than many people realize, with effects reaching an estimated 1/3 of the Earth's population. (World News Desk) Statistical studies have shown that 1.1 billion people world wide lack access to safe water , 2.6 billion people world wide lack proper sanitation facilities, and somewhere near HALF of the underdeveloped population suffers from sanitation or water related disease at any given time (cholera, dysentery, etc.) (Shanup, A)

 

 

 

Serious Problems

 

Unsafe water and sanitation facilities, or lack of them, creates problems on a large scale.  Basic hygiene and nutrition are extremely important factors for staying healthy, and with out proper health, human development is close to impossible.  Over-population leads to exhaustion of water sources and contamination, also resulting in overloading of the waste facilities.  1.8 million children die every year from diarrhea (Shanup,A), a direct effect of water and nutrition problems.

 

Countries Suffering The Most

  • Mauritania
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Chad
  • Nigeria
  • Angola
  • Congo
  • Ethiopia

(World News Desk)

 

How Does This Happen?

 

These under-developed countries have extremely high populations.  This is a direct result of lack of sexual education and contreception.  Too many people living in a small area results in extreme amounts of trash and waste.  Areas are generally run in a 'every man for himself' manner; no one taking charge of any situation.  There is barely any help from any greater source.  Water sources are unprotected and easily contract contamination.  Droughts are common, adding to the already terrible problem.

 

Effect on Women

 

In many cultures, the women have the job of retrieving water.  Water sources can be located up to a mile from one's home, making trips very long and excruciating.  Women spend a large portion of the day making sure the family's needs are met.  Because of the time spent gathering water, education is impossible.  Health is more important that an education, so the women gather while the boys learn at school.  This is a problem,  and is lowering education standards across the Earth.

                                 

 

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/dv564002.jpg%3Fv%3D1%26c%3DNewsMaker%26k%3D2%26d%3D7084F20463D41706397CEBF653E7EBFB&imgrefurl=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/dv564002/Digital-Vision&usg=__JNQe7hdbO4gUuRboocqPUQHqgBo=&h=337&w=508&sz=29&hl=en&start=142&tbnid=RAQB115UEqQIMM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwomen%2Bcarrying%2Bwater%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D140 

 

Human Rights

 

According to Article 25 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to a standard living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family"Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml#a25.  This right seems to have disapeard in some countries.  In Afghanistan, 92% of people live without proper toilets, and 25% of children younger than 5 years old suffer from a sanitation related illness. (Shanup, A)

 

 

Overcoming the Problem

 There are many groups dedicated to the termination of this problem.

Global Water Challenge

A coalition of 22 leading water aid organizations, leading the way to fix the water shortage problems in the world.  Each organization follows a set of rules such as, a long term plan, build locally and involve local businesses.  Organizations involved have completed projects such as installed over 500 water treatment systems,  Construction of over 350 water treatment plants benefitting over 1.75 million people, and awareness projects directed to teach communities how to overcome their problems.

(Markham, D)

WASH (Water And Sanitation Help)

WASH is hitting the core of the problem, by training citizens special trades, including latrein contruction, and waste removal. These people then have a specialized trade and can produce latreins for much cheaper than a contractor.

(World News Desk) 

UNICEF

UNICEF plays a large role in the aide of water deprived countries.  They have succeeded in bringing clean water and building underground water systems in many underdeveloped areas.(World News Desk)

    

UNICEF works in more than 90 countries around the world to improve water supplies and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and to promote safe hygiene practices. We sponsor a wide range of activities and work with many partners, including families, communities, governments and like-minded organizations. In emergencies we provide urgent relief to communities and nations threatened by disrupted water supplies and disease. All UNICEF WASH programmes are designed to contribute to the Millennium Development Goal for water and sanitation: to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe water and basic sanitation. (Lemoyne)

 

 

 

 

YOU Can Help

 

Donating money to UNECEF or WASH is a great way to help countries in need.

These groups will make sure your money goes to good use.

 


 

 

References

Shanup,A (Sept 1, 2007). Water and Development. Retrieved from www.globalissues.org/article/601/water-and-development 

World News Desk (March 31, 2008). One-Third of World Without Proper Sanitation.  Retrieved from www.realtruth.org/news/080331-002-health.html

Markham,D (March 27, 2009) LGobal Water Challenge: Universal Access to Clean Water. http://bluelivingideas.com/topics/drinking-water/global-water-challenge-universal-access-clean-water/

Lemoyne (August 18, 2009) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/wash/ 

 

Comments (3)

Kori Atwood said

at 1:54 pm on Sep 27, 2009

Good information but too much of it is written as a list. Take the information, analyze it and write it in paragraph form (it is OK to have a few lists). Align the paragraphs to the left (not centered - headings are OK as is). Also in your last section...be more specific about what they do to help (UNICEF is spelled wrong)

Will said

at 12:24 pm on Sep 29, 2009

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO this is bad. ha

Will said

at 12:30 pm on Sep 29, 2009

JK JK JK

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