Dear Activist,

We are guilty of taking so much for granted. Washing our hands, taking warm showers, and drinking clean water are all luxuries that billions of people do not have access to. We remain oblivious to the fact that these are privileges in our everyday lives. Because we need and use water daily, it is hard to imagine how difficult and different our lives would be without it.

According to the United Nations, “2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services,” and 40% of people are affected by water scarcity. Those without access to clean water must rely on unprotected wells and surface water. The UN predicts that, in 2050, one in four people will suffer from water shortages.

These sources of water are generally far from people’s homes; therefore, the burden of gathering water everyday falls on women and young girls. Women and girls spend hours gathering drinking water, which exposes them to gender-based violence, assault, and animal attacks.

The lack of access to clean water also impacts children severely. As of now, approximately 335 millions girls do not have clean water to wash their hands when changing pads at school. This causes young girls to drop out of school and threatens their futures. UNICEF states that more than 297,000 children die from diseases traced back to poor sanitation, hygiene, or unsafe drinking water.

In fact, children under 15 are “three times more likely to die from diarrhea, cholera and other diseases linked to unsafe water and sanitation than they are from direct violence.” By 2040, UNICEF predicts that 600 million children will suffer from water shortages due to climate change.

The Lack of Clean Water Across the World

Uganda’s lack of clean water impacts over 21 million people, accounting for 51% of its total population. A report from the World Health Organization, United Nations, and Joint Monitoring Programme claims that 19% of the Ugandan population relies on unprotected or surface water. That translates to over eight million people who drink from streams, wells, and ponds. Additionally, 32% of Ugandans have safe water, however, it takes them over 30 minutes to obtain it.

Ethiopia, due to politics and drought, also faces water shortages. According to the Water Project, only 42% of the country’s population has access to clean water. Most Ethiopians collect water from unsafe sources that have “human and animal waste, worms, or disease.” Additionally, water borne diseases, including cholera and diarrhea, are “the leading cause of death in children under five years old.”

Water.org projects that roughly 24 million Indonesians lack clean water. Especially with COVID-19’s toll on civilian lives, water is in high demand but access to it is scarce; currently, safe water is “critical to the health of families in Indonesia.” UNICEF found that 89% of water sources and 67% of household drinking water were contaminated with bacteria.

Activate Change

The lack of access to clean water occurs on a global scale; this is not an issue that only takes place in foreign and developing countries. It is happening right in front of us, and we have been oblivious to our privilege for too long. We are turning our backs on the 2.2 billion people who lack access to safe drinking water. It is our moral obligation to be their voices and respond to this crisis immediately.

• Support organizations, such as the Thirst Project and Water Aid, which raise awareness about this issue and work towards making clean water accessible.
• Spread awareness about this issue and share stories regarding the people who are directly impacted.
• Educate yourself on the lack of clean water worldwide by reading UNICEF articles, WHO reports, and global statistics.
• Donate to organizations that combat the water crisis. Water.org, Blood:Water, and Water for People are a couple amazing ones to look into.
• Purchase jerry cans, personal hygiene kits, and water filters for communities in need of clean water. These are inexpensive items that will drastically change families’ lives.
• Do the little things and change your habits! Taking shorter showers and brushing your teeth without the faucet running will go a long way.

No effort is too small or insignificant. This is the turning point in history. Now is the time for change. It is imperative that we act on this global issue to combat what is predicted to occur in 2050. Clean water is a basic necessity that we should make accessible to everyone. We have the power to do so, but it is easier said than done. There is too much at stake for us to give up now. Let’s put our voices to good use.

Cordially,

Nika Tarkian