World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008 - (Page 12)

pollution 90% Of sewage and 70 percent of industrial wastewater are dumped untreated into the surface water in developing countries. Water for sanitation & Health Clean water and adequate sanitation are two critical factors in ensuring human health and protection against a wide range of diseases. The International Decade for Action: “Water for life” 2005-2015 calls on the international community to strengthen efforts to increase access to water and sanitation for all by 2015 in order to combat disease and improve the health and well-being of the world’s population. Most of these deaths are preventable. It is estimated that almost half of the nearly 2 million deaths from diarrhea every year could be prevented through an understanding of basic hygiene. Water scarcity forces people to consume contaminated water, leading to waterborne diseases. In 2005, half a billion people lived in countries defined as water-stressed or water-scarce. This figure is expected to increase to 2.4 billion and 3.4 billion, respectively, by 2025, with North Africa and West Asia particularly affected. Increased urbanization is placing an enormous strain on existing water and sanitation infrastructure. Urban centers in developing countries have grown rapidly without adequate infrastructure planning, resulting in millions of immigrants who have little access to safe sanitation or water supplies. This puts the entire population at risk, causing serious environmental damage. Growing numbers of HIV-positive people, who are especially susceptible to disease and infection, depend on clean water for their health and survival. the challenge lack of safe water and adequate sanitation is the world’s single largest cause of illness. Two million people, most of them children, die every year from waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, and millions become seriously debilitated. lack of safe water and poor management of human wastes can spread diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, polio, trachoma and tapeworms—many of which can be fatal to people in the developing world. Other water-associated diseases such as malaria and filariasis affect vast populations worldwide. More than 1 million people die every year from malaria alone. Unsafe water and lack of sanitation are major factors underlying many of the 10 million child deaths every year. repeated episodes of waterborne diseases like diarrhea can push children to the brink of survival, leaving them too weak and malnourished to survive even common childhood illnesses. What needs to be done? The “Water for life Decade” is an opportunity to increase efforts to provide safe water and sanitation for all by 2015 and to ensure a healthy living environment. action needed – – – – – Effective and sustained advocacy on water, sanitation and hygiene Water, sanitation and hygiene education programs in every school Investment in sanitation infrastructure, such as latrines and toilets Full involvement of women in the planning and design of water and sanitation facilities Community involvement to ensure long-term solutions 12 May/June 2008 | WOrlD Ark www.heifer.org http://www.heifer.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008

World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008 Contents Letters For the Record The Good Life Asked & Answered Why Water Matters The Carbon Hoofprint From Farm to Table Healing History Mixed Media Heifer Spirit Heifer Bulletin World Ark Market Calendar First Person

World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008

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