World Water Day Advocacy Day

Washington DC, March 23, 2010

Join supporters from across the country on March 23, 2010 to call on Congress to increase support for sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs that save lives and lift countless people out of poverty.

Lack of access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene education pose a major threat to human health. More than 4,000 children die each day as a result of diarrheal disease directly caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

WASH programs are an extremely cost effective way of preventing these deaths and improving the overall health and productivity of millions of people worldwide.

Meet with Congressional offices on March 23 and let them know that we need greater US leadership on this crucial issue. Be a voice for the nearly 900 million people in the developing world who lack access to clean drinking water and the 2.5 billion who lack basic sanitation.

We will provide you with all the information and tools you need to be an effective advocate. Advocacy Day will begin with a training session at 9 a.m., with activities lasting until 5 p.m.

In the afternoon, you and other WASH supporters will meet with Congressional offices, seeking additional support for international WASH programs and funding.

The day will also feature an event on Capitol Hill with exhibitions on successful WASH programs from around the world. This will provide you an opportunity to see the great work of a variety of organizations working on WASH issues.

The Advocacy Day is being organized by a coalition of water organizations, including WaterAid, who have come together for World Water Day 2010 to raise awareness and call for more robust action to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation everywhere they are needed. To find out more and to register to participate please visit www.waterday.org (link opens in new window).

Be a voice for the poor and vulnerable around the world who lack access to the basic necessities of water and sanitation.