This consumption of contaminated water is thought to be responsible for the death of 500,000 people worldwide each year. Only permanent access to drinking water could prevent these deaths.
A little thirsty? Whether on tap or from the bottle, hydrating is more of a reflex than a reflection in France. This observation is far from being shared in the world. Two billion people drink from water source contaminated with fecal matter, recalls World Health Organization (WHO) this April 13. Efforts remain insufficient to end this health disaster.
Cholera, dysentery, typhoid… The diseases caused by the absorption of contaminated water are numerous. They are sometimes fatal. “Contaminated drinking water is the cause of more than 500,000 deaths from diarrhea each year”, figures Dr Maria Neira, director of the public health and environmental department at the WHO. In addition, there is a wide range of neglected tropical diseases, such as intestinal worms.
114 billion dollars needed
There is only one solution that can put an end to contamination due to water contaminated by excreta: invest in a network worthy of the name. According to the World Bank, it would be necessary to inject 114 billion dollars per year – not counting maintenance costs – to ensure universal access to drinking water. The sum is astronomical, but not out of reach, according to the president of the United Nations “Water” program (UN-Water). “We have the capacity to solve this challenge,” insists Guy Ryder. This is not the opinion of all, since 80% of the countries concerned claim that their investments are insufficient.
At country level, the situation therefore seems complicated, despite a slight change in budgets. At the individual level, on the other hand, the fight seems more advanced. In India, for example, Unicef has launched a campaign to raise public awareness of the risks of open defecation. The video – on an electro music of a passable but funny taste – thus invites the Indians to go to the toilets.
Private initiatives
Treating the problem at the source is good. Ensuring long-term access to drinking water is better. The richest man in the world, Bill Gates, has taken over this fight on his own. The former boss of Microsoft funded the development of the Omniprocessor, a machine supposed to transform human excrement … into water. Not inviting, of course, but effective in view of its video presentation.
“I looked at the piles of excrement going to a large tank,” he says. A few minutes later, I was able to taste the result ”. If the spectator will hold their heart, the billionaire seems to enjoy the experience. The device has, in addition, the benefit of generating electricity. A plus for disadvantaged countries.
Beyond these attempts, which remain at an experimental stage, other associations are working to ensure local access. This is the case of Rotary, which launched a pilot program in schools in 5 countries (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya) to develop sustainable clean water sources. The initiative has provided access to drinking water to 23 million people.
The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI) – affiliated with the African Development Bank – assistance in financing programs related to access to drinking water. The objective is clear: to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals set by the WHO. It remains to convince political decision-makers to accelerate the movement.
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