UNESCO: Urgent Action Needed to Address Lack of Access to Safe Drinking Water

Afaf Fahchouch
Afaf Fahchouch
2 Min Read
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The United Nations has warned that a “global water crisis” has arisen due to the combination of a growing population, changing consumption patterns, and socio-economic developments.

According to a recent report published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), two billion people lack access to safe drinking water and 3.6 billion lack access to adequate health care.

Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, emphasized the urgent need for strong international mechanisms to prevent this global water crisis from spiraling out of control.

In order to manage water sustainably and ensure equal sharing, Azoulay called for collaborative efforts to address this issue, saying, “Water is our common future, and it is necessary for us to act together.”

The number of individuals experiencing water scarcity globally is expected to double from 930 million in 2016 to between 1.7 and 2.4 billion in 2050. The report also highlighted the detrimental effects of long and severe droughts on ecosystems, which puts immense pressure on plants and animals.

The International Water Conference, jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Tajikistan, is scheduled to take place in New York over the next three days, the conference is the first international event in nearly 50 years to focus entirely on water policy.

Afaf Al Fahchouch

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