Water Water Everywhere But Not A Clean Drop To Drink
‘Providing people in Africa with clean water will save more lives than any other intervention’.
It is cruelly ironic that in a continent which has no shortage of water that 450 million people cannot get a glassful of clean water to drink. The Africa Water Bank has been set up to do something about it. It was established for four reasons.
Firstly, to save lives – the provision of clean water will save more lives in Africa than any other intervention.
Secondly, to speed up the development of new water points and the repair of broken ones – this is key in a continent where nearly half the population does not have access to a safe, clean water supply.
Thirdly, to bring together key people and organizations with the expertise, experience and know how to develop successful water points.
And finally, to provide an opportunity for young people from all over the world to really make a difference by taking up an achievable water challenge in partnership with a community, a school or a district in Africa in need of clean safe water – and to have a good time and a rewarding time doing it.
More children in Africa die each year from diarrheal diseases – due mainly to contaminated water – than from HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. The development of a new water point to supply 250 people with clean water costs an average of just $7,500.
It beggars belief that half of the people in Africa still do not have access to clean, safe water – especially considering there is no real shortage of water in most of Africa and the cost of providing it is relatively low.
Development is simply not possible without water – yet all too frequently other interventions are given priority – usually against the advice of people on the ground. Without clean, safe water schools cannot exist – teachers in Africa simply will not go to schools without a safe water supply – health clinics cannot function – and food growing and other economic programs fail. Water is life and it is well past the time we recognized it.
The Africa Water Bank was established to do something about this. If you really do want to make a difference in Africa you should not go past what this organization is doing.
Next week – The Four Key Cornerstones for Development in Africa.
