Water

In recognition of World Water Day 2008, this collection contains water and sanitation related images from impoverished areas of Ghana's rural north as well as events I have organized to mark the international event.

World Water Day, held annually on March 22, is part of an international movement to bring global and local attention and to galvanize action on issues of water stress, water-related disasters and poor water quality. Lack of safe water and adequate sanitation is the world's single largest cause of illness. World Water Day 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.

For more information and how you can get involved in World Water Day and the International Year of Sanitation, check out:
The Blue Planet Project
World Water Day Organizing Site
2008 UN International Year of Sanitation
UN Water For Life, International Decade for Action
UN Water World Water Day Site
Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council

If you're interested in supporting a water and sanitation project in Africa, check out my campaign page at Rain Harvest Africa