Safe Water as the Key to Global Health
Date
2008
Authors
Schuster Wallace, Corinne
Grover, Velma I.
Adeel, Zafar
Confalonieri, Ulisses E. C.
Elliott, Susan J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
United Nations University International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
ORCID
Type
Technical Report
Degree Level
Abstract
We have great choices available to us for managing our water resources, treating water for drinking purposes, using innovative financing approaches to generate capital, protecting our ecosystems, and motivating communities to actively participate in these processes. And yet, there remains an almost insurmountable chasm between our self professed targets – such as those entwined in the various Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – and the reality of a large number of people without a safe water source or an adequate sanitation system.
Numerous statistics, such as those presented in this report, highlight the consequences for communities in developing countries as a result of non-provision of these very fundamental human needs. Lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly amongst children. Indirect and adverse consequences on education levels, nutrition and economy are also documented quite effectively.
More recently, the benefits of water and sanitation provision have also been quantified. This measurement can be made in terms of improved well-being of people and communities, reduction in public health costs, and catalysis for local economic growth. Such benefits accrue in perpetuity and can potentially lift communities out of poverty and misery.
And yet, global and national commitments to meet these challenges are far from adequate. This report explores why that is the case and how we can change the situation.
Such change comes in two parts: First, we need to effectively change public and political perceptions of the nature of the problem, identify the stumbling blocks in responding effectively, and articulate the consequences of failure. Second, we need to mobilize human, technological and managerial resources that match the magnitude of the crisis.
It is very important that we aim high. That is, the target should be to provide appropriate and sustainable supply of safe water and adequate sanitation to everyone. We believe that such a target is achievable by the year 2025, if we accept MDGs as a stepping stone and the year 2015 as a mid-term milestone.
The first step in this direction must to be strengthen the capacity of developing countries, with the explicit aim of achieving 100% coverage. Such capacity should include human and technological development, but must also focus on nurturing institutions that can absorb and retain it. Over time, these institutions can enrich managerial skills as well.
The second major step is to initiate out-of-the-box thinking on resource mobilization. Two roadblocks must be surpassed to achieve this. First, we have to accept that national governments in developing countries will likely never have sufficient resources at their disposal, even when counting the meagre overseas development aid; accepting this reality then opens up the door to considering real innovations. Second, some of the resources from the private sector must be engaged. Some bad experiences in privatization of public utilities and a general mistrust of potential profiteering by the private sector have led to effectively closing the door on this option. In the same vein, many community groups and civil society organizations need to re-think and shift their positions to better serve the public interest.
A number of other processes also have to be triggered to achieve success.
Greater mobilization of public opinion can lead to both better actions at the local level and improved steering of national political agenda. Previous examples of such interaction, like eradication of polio through community-centered, nationally-driven vaccination schemes, demonstrate that it is achievable.
Greater cohesion in policies and a universal inclusion of water and sanitation provision in national development planning are the key elements to success. Examples in many developing countries, notably Madagascar, have demonstrated that political interests and public well-being converge very well when dealing with water and sanitation issues
We also need to provide politicians and policymakers with the knowledge and tools essential for guiding policies in their own domain. We, at UNU-INWEH, are striving to develop such tools in close cooperation with our partners. Development of a global map of communities that are vulnerable to water-related diseases and a worldwide knowledge base of cheap, safe water provisioning options are two such initiatives.
I hope that the ideas presented in this report help bring about the necessary changes in thinking, and the urgency to respond to this global crisis is driven home. This report is one step in an on-going dialogue on finding effective ways to move towards our ultimate goal – provision of safe water and adequate sanitation to every woman, man and child on this earth.
Dr. Zafar Adeel
Director UNU-INWEH
18 September 2008
Description
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo/
Keywords
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), water resources, mobilization of public opinion
Citation
Schuster-Wallace, C. J., Grover, V. I., Adeel, Z., Confalonieri, U. E. C., Elliott, S. J. (2008) Safe Water as the Key to Global Health. United Nations University International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH). ISBN: 9280860100