July 20, 2009
G8 does little to tackle water and sanitation crisis
Nearly 900 million people worldwide lack access to a safe water supply.
Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Irby
G8 leaders at this year's G8 Summit failed to make the
necessary commitments to tackle the water and sanitation crisis and prevent millions of needless deaths.
In the year between the G8 Summits in 2008 and 2009, more than 1.4 million children died from diarrhea as a result of a lack of safe water and toilets.
At the 2008 Summit, the G8 leaders had promised to accelerate
progress on water and sanitation and announced their intention to
launch an 'enhanced implementation plan' at the 2009 Summit to address
the global water and sanitation crisis. The plan was meant to be a centerpiece of the 2009 summit. Instead, at this year's Summit the G8 merely announced they would aim to
make progress on a partnership with African governments by the end of
the year.
WaterAid welcomes President Obama’s
announcement at the G8 Summit of a substantial rescue package to boost
agriculture and alleviate chronic hunger. However, failure to address the basic
human rights of water and sanitation could undermine US efforts to end
chronic hunger globally. Shortage of food is not the only cause of
malnutrition; over 50% of child malnutrition is caused by repeated
bouts of diarrhea.
Real, lasting improvements in nutrition - and in
other crucial sectors such as health, education and economic prosperity - cannot be delivered without addressing water and sanitation.
Globally,
884 million people lack access to clean water, and 2.5 billion live without safe sanitation. Every year, 443 million school days are lost to poor
water and sanitation, while GDP in Africa is reduced by 5%.
To achieve real progress on other development priorities, including health,
education, and agriculture, the G8 must fulfill their commitment to accelerating progress on access to clean water and adequate sanitation.
