InterAction Viewpoint: Global Development Success Depends On Access To Water

InterAction joins other U.S.-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in calling for the United States government to commit available resources to solve the world's growing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) crisis. World Water Day provides us with an oppor­tunity to focus attention on the fact that millions of people in the developing world lack access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Access to clean water and basic sanitation are crucial building blocks for development. Solving the crisis would improve the quality of life and health, advance education, drive economies, reduce poverty and contribute to gender equality and dignity.

Cost-effective solutions actually exist. They include hand-dug wells, harvesting rainwa­ter to use for drinking, protecting springs, water filtering and purification. All would require partnerships with local communities — especially with women and girls — to ensure the pop­ulation has the skills and support it needs to establish and sustain these projects.The U.S. government should contribute to the global effort to save hundreds of thou­sands of lives each year by doubling its commitment to water and sanitation, and integrat­ing solutions to the water, sanitation and hygiene crisis with child survival interventions. It is an investment in future generations worth making.

SOURCE: InterAction