«There is no “Plan B” for climate action as there is no “Planet B”»
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 2007-2016 [1]
What we seek today is to concentrate our efforts on conserving natural and human resources, and utilize them optimally for the interests of the current and future generations.
Following this, the concept of Sustainable Development emerged, as a universal socio-economic term aimed at improving living conditions, developing the means of production, and improving the utilization of natural resources.
The United Nations identified a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and called on the entire world to work to end poverty, protect the planet, and achieve peace and prosperity for all people by 2030.
In this article, we will address the 6th goal of Sustainable Development: Clean Water and Sanitation. [2]
There is no doubt that water is among the most important elements of life, if not the most important of all, therefore, the availability of clean water that is accessible to everyone is an essential part of the world we want to live in. However, the main problem lies in the methods of dealing with water and preserving it.
There is enough fresh water on the planet. Yet, as a result of poor economic programs and infrastructure, millions of people, mostly children, die each year from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. [3]
Water scarcity affects more than 40% of people around the world, an alarming figure that is projected to increase with rising temperatures due to climate change.
In 2011, 41 countries experienced water stress, ten of which almost completely depleted their renewable freshwater supplies. By 2050, it is anticipated that at least one in four people will be affected by recurring water shortages 2050.
The Arab region suffers the most from water shortages; hosting 14 of the world’s 20 most water-stressed countries, where the average person has access to only about 12% of the renewable water levels of an average global citizen.
Wars and conflicts also play a role in increasing water insecurity in the Arab region. In Syria, for example, 70% of the Syrian population is without regular access to safe drinking water. [4]
As for sanitation and hygiene, a quarter of healthcare facilities lack basic water services, and over two billion people do not have access to basic sanitation services.
The covid-19 pandemic has shown the critical importance of sanitation, hygiene, and adequate access to clean water for preventing diseases and handwashing.
Also read: Sustainable Development Goals- Goal 5
The United Nations has paid special attention to the matter and sought to make the issue of water and sanitation among the most important Sustainable Development Goals, and 80% of countries laid the foundations for Integrated Water Resources Management.
Ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires:
Despite all efforts, the water crisis still poses a serious threat to many countries: why do you think that is?
Is there anything you can suggest to support water security and sanitation?
♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it