21 March 2009 - World Water Day in Sudan to focus on shared responsibility for management of vital resourcesThe celebration of World Water Day 2009 in Sudan tomorrow, 22 March, will provide an opportunity to focus on the importance of a shared responsibility for the management of vital resources, as the country strives to increase access to clean water and adequate sanitation. With 44 per cent of Sudan’s population not having a safe source of drinking water, and almost 70 per cent of the population lacking access to adequate sanitation, strengthened collaboration between different bodies is critical to accelerated progress towards ensuring every household is able to reach a source of clean water and sanitation. Speaking ahead of a series of events planned to mark World Water Day, UNICEF’s Officer-in-Charge for Sudan Pierre Poupard noted that progress was being made to bring clean water and improved sanitation to thousands of Sudanese families every year. “Last year alone, UNICEF was able to support the provision of new water supplies and re-establish former supplies, to over 1.3 million people across Sudan,” he said. “That achievement came about through a critical partnership led by the Government of National Unity and the Government of Sudan, and made possible by the work of non-governmental organizations, the private sector and the invaluable support of international donors. No single body can achieve such results in such a short timeframe, and this is the sense of shared responsibility that we want to highlight on this year’s World Water Day.” In the north of Sudan, the government Public Water Corporation and UNICEF are using World Water Day to encourage communities to place increased focus on the importance of better management of water supply and quality, as well as increasing access to sanitation. In particular, communities are seen as central to management of water resources, through playing a direct role in their protection, their maintenance and ensuring equitable access to all those who need to use them. Communities are also seen as important advocates for hygiene education, essential to reduction of water-related diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. UNICEF estimates that on average more than one-quarter of children under the age of five in Sudan suffer from diarrhoeal disease in any given year – simple measures such as handwashing before preparing food and eating, of after using the latrine, and safe water storage can dramatically reduce these rates of illness. “Provision of water and sanitation facilities are just two parts of the approach,” explained Mr. Poupard. “Hygiene education, promoted at the community level through health workers, school teachers, youth leaders and village hygiene committees, is the essential third ingredient to ensuring a healthier household.” Key events planned for World Water Day in Sudan include a street carnival in the city of Gedaref, in eastern Sudan, followed by a series of technical discussions to be held in the nearby rural village of Kunina – recognizing the importance of community leadership – at which government and other agencies will discuss issues of water management, water quality and improving sanitation.
This Press Release in Arabic Download this Press Release in Arabic, in PDF format [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.) Africa calls for action at 5th World Water Forum What it will take to address the pressing water and sanitation issues throughout Africa - an article courtesy of Amy Hart [UNICEF is not responsible for the content or opinions expressed in third-party articles] [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.) |
