World Water Week meeting stirs global water crisis debate

 


Stockholm meeting to stir global water crisis debate


By Julie Mollins



LONDON (AlertNet) - More than 2,600 humanitarians and policymakers meet in Stockholm this week to hash out ideas about how to tackle escalating problems surrounding water scarcity and access to sanitation, particularly in urban environments.


World Water Week delegates are seeking long-term sustainable solutions, which will transform how water resources are managed. The goal is to try and improve the lives of almost 900 million people who lack access to safe water, and more than 2.7 billion who lack access to basic sanitation, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) statistics.


Growing pressure on resources and amenities is a key concern as urban populations increase.


“Governments pay a lot of lip service to the needs of the poor, but have very little to show in demonstrating investments and strategies,” said Sheela Patel, chair of Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI). “While the state subsidises the elite, water for the poor is sold at a much higher rate.”


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Click here to read about the MDG-F's work in improving access to safe water and adequate sanitation.




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