Today we are also celebrating, and we want to dedicate a post to World Water Day, which for this year has adopted the theme of 'cooperation in the field of water'.
The United Nations states that cooperation in the field of water is crucial for security, the fight against poverty, social justice and gender equality.
The cooperation allows a more efficient and sustainable use of water resources and translates into mutual benefits and better living conditions
Meanwhile, UNICEF estimates that 2,000 children under five die each day from diarrheal diseases. Most, about 1,800 deaths, are related to water, sanitation and hygiene.
A good part of the population in countries where these deaths mostly occur, does not have access to adequate water and sanitation.
Almost half of the deaths for this reason of children under five years occur in only five countries: India, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Pakistan and China. In two countries, India (24%) and Nigeria (11%) there are more than a third of all deaths of children under five
Sanjay Wijesekera is responsible for UNICEF's water, sanitation and hygiene program. States that behind the children there are real lives. 'Every child is important, everyone has the right to health, the right to survival and the right to a future as good as we can.' Improving access to water and sanitation would contribute greatly to the reduction of infant mortality in these countries.
Wijesekera believes that the progress achieved since 1990 shows that with political will, investment, an equity approach and reaching the most difficult children to reach, perhaps within a generation every child can have access to adequate drinking water and sanitation.
Solidarity Actions
Together with the Government of Niger, the organization works to improve school facilities and educational quality, since it is important to guarantee access to water and sanitation. Supporting this work in Spain, UNICEF annually organizes the solidarity races 'Drops for Niger'. This course has already enrolled 50,000 students in early childhood, primary and secondary education. In addition, Anyone can register for these races through the Enrédate website.
In Catalonia, UNICEF Committee Catalonia organizes tonight La nit de l'Aigua (The Night of Water), with recreational and sports activities that will take place simultaneously in several Catalan swimming pools. This initiative, which has the support of the Catalan Swimming Federation, aims to raise awareness of the consequences of lack of access to water for thousands of children and raise funds for the NGO's water and sanitation programs.
Photographer Isabel Muñoz and the Canal Foundation also join the cause of water celebrating this world day with an artistic and technological action. Under the motto of the United Nations, 'Cooperation in the field of water', Isabel Muñoz has made one of her works available to the Foundation, which can be downloaded in high resolution from here.
Good management and cooperation on the issue of water, It is also essential for the preservation of water resources, the protection of the environment and can contribute to overcoming cultural, political, social tensions and establish trust between people, communities, regions or countries.
Images | UNICEF More information | UNICEF
