End Water Poverty launches on World Water Day
Some of the highest prices for water are paid
by the world's poorest people.
Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Irby
On World Water Day (22 March), End Water Poverty was officially launched.
Water-related diseases are the second biggest killer of children under five years old in the world today, yet water and sanitation are not prioritised in the fight against poverty.
Organisations from all over the world, literally from Timbuktu to Edinburgh, have pledged to do their bit to end water poverty.
Kadiatou Aw from WaterAid Mali said "It's wonderful to hear all these voices united in their calls to end water poverty. In Mali we find it frustrating that water and sanitation aren't given the attention they deserve.
"If 5000 children were dying every day in the developed world, world leaders would debate it at breakfast and the problem would be solved before they sat down to lunch. All it takes to tackle this crisis is public pressure and the right political will, that is why we in Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, are supporting the End Water Poverty campaign."
The End Water Poverty campaign is calling on Germany as the host nation for this year's G8 meeting, to commit to a Global Action Plan for sanitation and water; a plan that will deliver safe water and effective sanitation to those most in need - the poorest of the poor.
In the UK, Blair and Brown continue to make bold commitments and deliver passionate speeches on health and education in developing countries, without acknowledging the role that sanitation and water plays in poverty eradication. The UK government's approach to international development must include a Global Action Plan for water and sanitation alongside these other essential public services.
If the UK government is serious about international development then the Prime Minister must take the global crisis in water and sanitation to the G8 summit in June, put it on the table and demand action, because for every minute of inaction four children die, every minute of every day.