IMAGINE a world without water. Catastrophic.
This Wednesday, March 22, is World Water Day – an annual United Nations observance that highlights the importance of fresh water and raises awareness on the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
The UN General Assembly in 2010 declared that safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights. The declaration was of global significance. After all, almost 900 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water. It was good that the 192-member Assembly also called on United Nations member-states and international organizations to offer funding, technology and other resources to help poorer countries scale up their efforts to provide clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for everyone.
So what has the Philippine government done after the UN made its sterling declaration?
Although the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is not part of the Declaration of Human Rights, the declaration lent moral and symbolic force to the provision in the policies of individual countries. Studies indicate that an absence of clean water or sanitation exacts a huge human toll. People get sick and die due to water- and sanitation-related diseases.
The recognition of the human right to water and sanitation is a positive signal from the international community and shows its commitment to tackle these issues.
This year’s World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve water and sanitation crisis. And because water affects us all, we need everyone to take action. That means you! You and your family, school and community can make a difference by changing the way you use, consume and manage water in your lives.
