WWD 2001 Event
WHO Afghanistan - Press Release
Unsafe Water is a Breeding Ground of Disease and Poverty
3.4 million people, mostly children die annually from water related diseases
All people and governments throughout the World are celebrating March 22 as a World Water Day. The theme for the World Water Day in 2001 is " Water and Health”. For this reason and for the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the lead agency for the day. On this day WHO will launch a new report aiming to raise awareness on the vital links between adequate clean, safe water and health, poverty alleviation, well being and overall sustainable development.
22 March is a unique occasion to remind everybody of the unseen contribution water makes to health and how it can reduce disease. Practical efforts can help us to make an impact as well as to increase worldwide awareness of both problems and solutions. To make a difference our tasks include turning words into commitment and action.
Water is a basic requirement for life and health. Around the world, over a billion children, women and men lack access to adequate and safe water to meet their most basic need. Every decision we make is practically linked to water and its consequences on health. Over two million people mostly children die each year of diarrhoeal disease linked to inadequate water supply and hygiene. Improved water quality, sanitation and personal hygiene significantly reduce the spread of these and many other water-borne diseases.
Preventing disease helps to alleviate poverty. Those people without access to improved water sources basic basic sanitation include the poorest people in the world. The first step to alleviate poverty is to acknowledge the many components as well as note the major contribution of water and sanitation to poverty alleviation and development.
The average coverage of safe drinking water in Afghanistan is only 24 percent and of sanitation only 12%. For this reason the mortality and morbidity rates due to water-borne diseases is one of the highest in the world. To improve the situation, WHO has rehabilitated the water supply systems in the cities, (Kandahar, Jalalabad, Ghazni, and Zaranj cities) and has constructed new water supply networks for Faizabad city as well as in some of its villages. This work was in collaboration with other partners including WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOCHA, Qatar Red Crescent Society and Kuwait Joint Relief Committee.
In addition, WHO Afghanistan has undertaken steps to improve sanitation condition in Jalalabad, Kandahar, and Mehterlam. For example, during 1998 and 2000 this office implemented sanitation project in Jalalabad with budget of about 1.5 million dollars
The International Observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water by adopting resolution (A/res 47/1993).