World Water Day was Observed Across the Globe

Raise a glass of good cheer, a glass of clean and safe water that is , and be grateful you can.

World Water Day was observed yesterday, the 22nd of March, but not everybody is even aware of this international day of observance. World Water Day was adopted on the 22nd of December 1992 by the United Nations general assembly and the world started observing it on the 22nd of March 1993. The UNCED, formally know as The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development promotes public awareness of fresh water resource issues., by documentaries, publications, expositions, seminars, conferences and round tables, all relating to development and conservation of our water resources.

This years theme for World Water Day was, 'Coping with Water Scarcity'. This theme highlights the significance and importance of cooperation and integration of the ways water resources are dealt with at all levels, from locally to internationally. More than a billion people still do not have access to a safe and continual supply of water. Water related diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. This lack of potable water results in thousands of deaths each year for children alone, from related illnesses caused by diseases carried in the undrinkable water, diseases like typhoid.

Typhoid, also known as enteric fever, is a systemic disease, caused by a bacillus called Salmonella typhi. It is a long illness, which primarily attacks the gastrointestinal tract. In areas where treatment is difficult to receive, the fatality rate is much higher than the norm of 3 to 4 percent. The bacillus is carried in fecal matter, usually in polluted water often caused by raw sewage.

Water resources worldwide are being affected by climate changes and various sources of pollution. In parts of Africa, the polluted waters have affected many sources of irrigation waters decreasing the ability to produce food.

In some areas of the world, people are forced to walk hours in order to get drinking water and even then, the water they are able to get is often contaminated.

Developing countries are struggling to find decent, healthy water resources, available to all. This is much like modern western cultures did a couple of centuries ago, before the development of modern water transportation and purifying facilities that are available to us today.

Next time you turn on the tap, remember those who are still struggling to find the most basic of human needs, a simple glass of clean water.

http://www.unesco.org/water/water_celebrations/
http://water.org/index.html
http://www.wateraid.org/uk/default.asp
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/