190 million children at risk from water.
Around 190 million children are at risk due to a "triple threat" surrounding water, warns UNICEF, highlighting the convergence of water-related diseases, climate change, and hygiene and sanitation conditions.
UNICEF's analysis
According to a new analysis by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), this scenario is particularly serious in West and Central Africa, namely in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Somalia, countries where there is some political instability or even armed conflicts.
“Africa is facing a water catastrophe”.
"We are seeing climate and water-related shocks increase around the world, but nowhere else are the risks escalating so drastically for children."
Unicef program director Sanjay Wijesekera said.
The analysis by the United Nations agency dedicated to children noted that in these 10 countries there are almost a third of children without access to basic water at home, with two thirds lacking basic sanitation and the scarcity of water and soap still persisting to allow conditions minimum hygiene.
"Devastating storms, floods and historic droughts are already destroying infrastructure and homes, contaminating water resources, creating famines and spreading disease."
"But as challenging as current conditions are, if urgent action is not taken, the future could be much bleaker."
Added the person in charge of the institution's programs.
In the released note, Unicef also pointed out that six of those 10 countries “faced outbreaks of cholera during the past year” and that they concentrated a significant weight in the daily deaths of children under five years old due to problems related to water.
"The loss of a child's life is devastating for families."
"But, the pain is worse when it is avoidable and caused by the absence of basic services that many take for granted like safe drinking water, toilet facilities and soap."
Said Sanjay Wijesekera, in a message that precedes the UN Water Conference, scheduled to take place between March 22nd and 24th in New York (United States of America).
Conclusion
In an attempt to respond to this diagnosis, Unicef will call for greater investment in the sector, including in global climate finance, strengthening climate resilience; prioritizing the most vulnerable communities in programs related to water; improving water supply and sanitation systems; and the implementation of the UN Global Acceleration Plan in aspects focused on water.
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World Water Day is celebrated on March 22nd.
Picture: © DR
