Water Advocates Lobby for 'Developing Countries'
In recognition of World Water Day (March 22), Water Advocates called for the implementation of more safe drinking water and sanitation projects in developing countries. To meet the global challenge, there remains an acute need to ratchet up actions by governments, corporations, foundations, the media, as well as the civic and faith-based community.
"Each day 4,500 children die around the world due to mostly preventable water and sanitation-related diseases," said David Douglas, president of Water Advocates. "That's about 135,000 lives per month -- a small city's worth of children -- an ongoing disaster by anyone's standards."
The good news is something can be done. Several organizations have experience implementing sustainable water and sanitation projects.
"We don't have to wait for a cure, what is needed is more financial support, public awareness, and political will," Douglas continued. "We encourage U.S. citizens to support sustainable drinking water and sanitation projects through their own religious or civic organizations or through nonprofit organizations working to implement effective projects in this field."
Water Advocates is circulating a list (also available on its Web site, www.wateradvocates.org) of 42 U.S. organizations helping to implement safe drinking water and sanitation projects in developing countries.
Water Advocates is the first U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing American support for worldwide access to safe, affordable, and sustainable supplies of drinking water and adequate sanitation.