Why World Water Day Should Matter to You

The world’s number one killer of children is not war, guns, or terrorism.
It’s dirty water.
That’s why I hope you’ll spend a few minutes at this site: http://www.faithsforsafewater.org/
Whatever issues you care most about … hunger … maternal and child health … kids living past that vulnerable 5th birthday … HIV/AIDS … poverty … food security … girls’ education … gender equality … violence against women …
The more you learn about any of these issues, the more you realize that the world water crisis is related to each one. For example, did you know …

Fifty percent of undernutrition in children is due to inadequate water and sanitation.
Diarrhea and pneumonia are the two leading causes of child death and both are frequently caused by unsafe water.
One-third of school-age children in developing countries are infected with intestinal worms from water.
272 million school days are lost due to diarrhea.
Walking down a deserted path to collect water or seeking a bit of privacy to relieve oneself leads to daily violence against women.
Water is a woman’s burden. Bodies break under the heavy buckets, jars and jerry cans filled with water that makes their families sick. They have no choice.
At least 1.8 billion people globally use a source of drinking water that is fecally contaminated.
663 million people today lack access to safe water and 2.4 billion (one sixth of the world) doesn’t have the dignity and safety of a toilet.
Fifty different diseases and illnesses are linked to unsafe water.
Immuno-suppressed HIV/AIDS patients must take anti-retroviral drugs with filthy water that makes them sick and unable to properly absorb the medications.
17 different Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are caused by poor water and sanitation, but we’re curing NTDs with medication rather than preventing them all together with access to safe water and sanitation.

So today’s a day we encourage each other to think about something many of us can take for granted – but millions of our neighbors can’t. I hope you’ll spend a few minutes at this site: http://www.faithsforsafewater.org/
And here’s another link that will inform and inspire you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithforward/2016/03/blessed-by-water-a-sermon-for-world-water-day/
You’ll find a number of ways you can get involved and make a difference. You can even start by sharing this link!