According to UN estimates, 2.6 billion people (42% of the world population) lack access to even basic sanitation facilities. Each year, 1.8 million people die from diarrhoeal diseases, mostly in developing countries.
The annual World Water Day, 22 March, marks a permanent effort to promote access to safe drinking-water and sanitation throughout the world. The 2005 World Water Day coincides with the launch of the UN International Decade for Action "Water for Life 2005-2015".
The Decade is designed to accelerate activities to halve by 2015 the number of people who do not have access to safe drinking-water and basic sanitation. This is one of the targets included in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
An advocacy guide published by WHO provides a detailed presentation of the Water for Life Decade as well as some practical suggestions on how to contribute to achieving its objectives.
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Related links:
WHO’s Water, Sanitation and Health unit
Water and Sanitation Program (World Bank)
EPHA’s articles on water policy
