Launched in time for World Water Day 2008, this group invites photos and discussion of all things water to bring awareness and galvanize action on issues of water stress, water-related disasters, poor water quality and water justice around the world.
Lack of safe water and adequate sanitation is the world's largest cause of illness. Get involved in the global movement to achieve water justice and eliminate preventable water and sanitation related diseases.
World Water Day, held annually on March 22, is a unique opportunity to draw attention to the crisis and to create the momentum that compels governments, the international community, civil society and individuals to take action.
In line with the United Nations 2008 International Year of Sanitation, this year's World Water Day is dedicated to the pressing issue of sanitation. Over 2.6 billion people, including 980 million children, live without proper sanitation. Every 20 seconds on average a child dies as a direct result. That's 1.5 million preventable child deaths a year.
Without improving sanitation around the world, none of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be achieved. Sanitation conditions impact health and child mortality, poverty reduction, the empowerment of women and girls, school attendance, the environment, and economic and social development. Proper sanitation is essential to the dignity of all people, key to combating poverty, and crucial to ensuring fundamental human rights are met.
