Idea Transcript
Focus on Haiti
Water
How can we increase the world’s access to clean water?
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Water
Is there enough water for everyone? How much water do we use? Taking a shower........15 – 30 gallons Taking a bath ...........35 – 50 gallons Flushing the toilet.........4 –7 gallons Brushing teeth....................1 gallon Washing dishes...........9 –20 gallons Washing clothes............. 30 gallons Watering the lawn.........180 gallons Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Do you think dams are an effective way to conserve water? Every year on March 14, organizers of the International Day of Action for Rivers coordinate events around the world to protest against the construction of dams. Why do you think so many people oppose building dams? People have been building dams for more than a thousand years. Dams are used for water storage and can produce hydro-electricity and prevent floods. Yet many people oppose dams because they often damage nearby agriculture and fishing and can create flooding during heavy rainfall—greatly altering fragile ecosystems.
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A child dies every 20 seconds from diseases caused by a lack of safe water and sanitation.
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The average African uses 2-5 gallons of water per day. The average American uses 100 gallons per day.
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Millions of women and children walk several hours a day to collect water.
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More than half of the diseases in the world are caused by unclean water.
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2.6 billion people in the world do not have showers or toilets.
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Agriculture accounts for 70 percent of the world’s water use.
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Each year millions of children die unnecessarily due to a lack of clean water Today, almost 900 million people do not have access to safe drinking water—about one in every eight people. The global consumption of water is doubling every twenty years, twice the rate of population growth, and it is estimated that in 2025, at least 3 billion people will be living in areas where it will be difficult or even impossible to meet basic water needs. How can this happen? There are increasing demands on the world’s water supply. Population growth, water-intensive agriculture and economic development are using water faster than it can be replenished. In addition, freshwater resources are in jeopardy due to increasing pollution and climate change. Water is essential to our lives. We need water to drink, to bathe and to grow food. For most of us, the supply of water seems to be endless. We can simply turn on the faucet any time of the day, any day of the year. Throughout the world, however, millions of people must walk for hours each morning to bring water to their homes. In developing countries, lack of clean water is a devastating and often deadly problem. Many times people are forced to draw water from a dirty pond or contaminated river, contributing to poor health and
Read more about the global water crisis: www.circleofblue.org/waternews Learn more about waterborne diseases: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/disease/index.html
disease. Drinking unclean water causes millions of deaths each year from diseases such as diarrhea, hepatitis, cholera, typhoid and parasites. Access to safe water is a basic human right. It can improve the health, economy and social well-being of a community. We must use water wisely and responsibly to ensure that in the future everyone will have access to drinking water that is affordable and safe. What are some things you can do? Where does our water come from? Most of the Earth’s water is undrinkable. Although 70 percent of the planet’s surface is water, almost all of it is saltwater in the oceans. Only 3 percent of the world’s freshwater is safe for drinking, and 97 percent of that is frozen in glaciers. That leaves us with less than 1 percent usable water from lakes, rivers and underground sources! Why can’t we use water from the ocean? Removing salt from water, called desalination, would greatly help with the world’s water needs, yet because it is so expensive and requires a large amount of energy, most countries cannot afford to do it. But with water shortages threatening populations, desalination may become a necessity in the future.
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WATER AROUND THE WORLD
How much water do you use each day? Some countries have abundant, untapped stores of water to support population growth, while others are already using most of their available water. Water is also becoming increasingly polluted and although several countries have the technology and can afford to clean their water, the majority of the world cannot. In 2000, world leaders at the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit set a target to cut in half the proportion of people without access to clean water by 2015. In 2002, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, access to basic sanitation was included. Recognizing the critical need to meet the water and sanitation target and its impact on all the other MDGs, 2005–2015 was designated as the ‘Water for Life’ decade.
Water Issues Around the World
Despite abundant rainfall in Bangladesh, the overpopulated country faces a lack of clean sanitation facilities. This is causing waste to flow into and pollute many nearby rivers and streams, creating serious health problems and deaths.
North America Europe At an average cost of 2 cents per gallon, tap water is relatively inexpensive and available throughout the United States.
In Haiti water is a matter of life and death. Unclean water is one of the primary causes of illness and many of those who get sick cannot afford the necessary medical treatment.
South America
Source: WHO 2011, UNICEF 2011, and EPA 2011
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In 2000, a private company took over the water system in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Household water costs soon quadrupled, setting off large protests by residents. For many families, this cost increase meant that almost half of their monthly income went to paying for water.
Asia
Africa
The crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan has been called the first war over water. Climate change, land degradation and desertification are among the main causes of the conflict that has left 300,000 people dead and over 2.7 million displaced.
Learn more about Water for Life Decade: http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/ Read more about water use in the United States: http://water.usgs.gov/watuse
By 3pm in the afternoon, many girls in Somalia are already making their second trip of the day to collect water for their families. Since only 29 percent of the population has access to clean water, the closest water source is often a 2–3 hour walk each way. This prevents many children from studying or spending time with friends.
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HAITI
How does a history of instability affect a country’s development? A Troubled Past
Haiti
Haiti Country Information
Haiti was the first Caribbean state to achieve independence and the only nation in world history born of a successful slave revolt. Yet decades of poverty, environmental degradation, violence, and political instability have left it as the poorest country in the western hemisphere, with over half the population living on less than $1.25 a day.
colony St. Domingue. There was a heavy importation of slaves from western Africa, and the colony soon became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean. In the late 18th century, Haiti’s 500,000 slaves revolted and started a rebellion. Under the leadership of Toussaint L’Ouverture, they were able to overthrow the colonial government and declare independence in 1804.
When Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola in 1492, it was inhabited by Taino Amerindians. The Spanish soon settled on the island and then ceded the west and central sides to the French in 1697, who called the
Since its independence, however, Haiti has been plagued by instability and dictatorships and it is now among the poorest countries in the world. The lack of foreign investment contributes to the declining economic situation of the country.
Location: Caribbean Capital: Port-au-Prince Population: 9.8 million Size: Slightly smaller than Maryland Languages: French and Creole Religions: Roman Catholic 80 percent, Protestant 16 percent, other 4 percent; Note: Approximately 50 percent of the population also practices Voodoo Life Expectancy: 62 years Child Mortality Rate: 87 deaths /
1,000 live births Access To Clean Water: 63 percent Access to Clean Sanitation:
17 percent Literacy Rate: 53 percent Population Living on Less Than $1.25 Day: 55 percent Sources: UNICEF, 2010 & CIA World Factbook, 2012
Did You Know?
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Voodoo is an integral part of Haitian culture, history and identity.
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The Taino named the island Ayiti, meaning “Mountainous Land.”
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Haitian Creole is based on French but also contains influences from Taino and African languages, as well as Portuguese, Spanish and English.
See a PBS special on Haitian Voodoo: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week642/feature.html Read the latest news on Haiti: http://www.haitiglobe.com
WATER IN HAITI
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What would you do to improve water access in Haiti? The International Water Poverty Index
Haiti ranks at the absolute bottom of the International Water Poverty Index. British researchers developed the index to examine water access, environmental sustainability and the states of general living conditions. They used five different criteria to construct the index: resource, access, use, capacity, and environment.
How Do Trees Affect the Water Supply? A lack of alternative energy forces many Haitians to cut down trees in order to make charcoal. This deforestation contributes to water shortages because rainwater pours off the land and into the ocean, instead of getting trapped in a tree’s roots and staying in the soil. This leaves many lakes empty and dries up the soil.
Citoya’s Story Citoya is seven years old and lives in Saut d’Eau, a rural village in Haiti. Every afternoon she spends an hour walking with her sister to the closest spring. There, the girls fill up buckets of water to carry back home. The water is enough to last the rest of the day, but it must be boiled or treated before anyone can drink it. A few times a week, the family goes to the spring together to bathe and wash clothes or other items. Citoya’s day is very busy—going to school, getting water, and helping in the family garden. But she is one of the lucky ones; many of the children in her village cannot afford the $10 a year that the local school costs.
What would you do to prevent this cycle?
What is being done since the 2010 earthquake? Organizations like Concern Worldwide are working throughout Haiti to help to bring clean and safe drinking water to local residents. This life-saving work has become even more critical since January 2010, when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince and left 1.5 million people displaced from their homes. Concern launched an immediate, large-scale emergency response within 48 hours of the disaster. Since then, Concern has been providing access to clean water and sanitation to over 75,000 people living in camps. For the future, Concern is working with local communities to ensure sustainable access to clean water and sanitation in order to help Haiti recover and rebuild for the long term.
Access to safe drinking water is a constant problem for more than half of the people living in Haiti. Daily water collection can take up to five hours and is the primary chore of women and children. Activities like washing clothes and bathing are also time consuming and costly. Many people living in rural areas get their water from fresh springs, but these are often contaminated by animal use.
Can you imagine walking for hours simply to get a glass of drinking water?
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See the International Water Poverty Index: http://earthtrends.wri.org/text/water-resources/variable-1299.html Learn more about the benefits of trees: http://www.arborday.org
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HOW CAN WE INCREASE THE WORLD’S ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER? Poorly managed water resources are also a source of conflict—over scarce access in water distressed regions—and environmental degradation. So addressing water needs can have a huge development payoff that reaches beyond health. From protecting watershed ecosystems to water supply management, investing in water and sanitation has a payoff that goes beyond just the infrastructure. Easily accessible clean water means that women and girls do not have to walk miles each day to lug heavy buckets of usually dirty water for use at home. Instead they can go to school or engage in productive activities. And as communities learn to manage their water resources, access can often promote critical economic activities, from gardening to food production to industry. —Mark Malloch Brown, Former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations We will not be able to solve water problems unless we think in a new way—unless we move away from the belief that the answer is one more massive concrete dam blocking our rivers to the idea that we must meet basic human and environmental needs for water; let all affected stakeholders play a role in making decisions; refocus on what we do with the water and how efficiently we do it and use appropriate economic approaches to pay for water and for the costs to us and the environment of using that water. —Peter H. Gleick, President of the Pacific Institute
Possibilities and Options Many possibilities and options exist to try to ensure that everyone can access safe water. The following are some of the things that we could do to enhance the world’s access to clean water. Which do you think are the best ways to increase the world’s access to clean water? Why?
Drip Irrigation Drip irrigation can be extremely helpful in areas where water is scarce or expensive. It uses water more efficiently than conventional irrigation methods by releasing the water slowly to a specific area at the plants’ roots. Instead of wasting water because it cannot all be absorbed into the ground, the water placed by drip irrigation systems has time to be absorbed where plants most need it. However, it would be very costly to convert all the current irrigation systems to this new method.
Water Treaties Conflict over water resources is an ever-growing problem. Our dwindling water resources and growing demand for water create the potential for large-scale competition and conflict between nations over shared water supplies. Past water treaties have been created in order to avert conflict and divide limited resources in reasonable ways. These treaties provide a structure for nations to address their differences in managing and monitoring shared resources.
Water Recycling Water recycling is the process of reusing treated wastewater for valuable, nondrinking purposes such as watering lawns or golf courses, industrial processes, and toilet flushing. By recycling our water, we could save a great deal of energy that is normally used on water treatment, and lower the cost of water bills.
Water Conservation
Rainwater harvesting
In many areas water is being pumped out of the ground faster than it can be replenished. Enhanced water conservation will allow water supplies to be used more effectively. By educating people to retrofit their faucets and showerheads, displace water in their toilet tank, and fix water leaks, millions of gallons of water could be saved every day.
Rainwater harvesting means catching and using rainwater where it falls. People can build cisterns or wells in order to help capture the rainwater. Often, this system saves much time and energy but can only be used in areas with abundant rainfall. It is very important, however, that the water does not become contaminated in the holding areas and that it is sanitized before drinking.
Water is fundamental for life and health. The human right to water is indispensable for leading a healthy life in human dignity. It is a pre-requisite to the realization of all other human rights. —UNESCO
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Speak Out! What are your thoughts on solving the water crisis?
In some countries, those responsible for managing and allocating water are vulnerable to conscious or unconscious bias towards the rich and powerful. Political patronage and corruption frequently override considerations of efficiency or equity. In the increasingly tense competition over the use of water resources, the poor have the least influence. — Department of International Development (DFID)
Private Ownership Private companies now control the water supplies in some areas. Often, this creates a more efficient system and allows more people access to available water. Yet, while water companies are able to update water systems, making them more efficient and more accountable to consumers, they can also make water very costly to the poor. In addition, many people believe that water is a public resource, and should not be owned by individuals or corporations.
Individuals should never underestimate their own influence and the role they can play in changing things for the better. I think they should speak up in their communities and say: “Stop polluting our rivers. Stop wasting water. I cannot take this anymore.” And begin to talk to their neighbors and friends, and begin to organize and let the policy makers and the local, district, or national governments know that they are concerned. —Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations
Water Purification Often, the water located the closest distance from people’s homes is not safe for drinking, such as water found in rivers and lakes. Therefore, by purifying these water sources, more people will have access to clean water. Sand and clay filters can be an effective, affordable, and simple alternative to using chemicals or boiling water.
Desalination Desalination is the process of removing sodium chloride (salt) from water. Since most of the earth’s water is saltwater in the oceans, desalination could create a much greater amount of available freshwater to the world’s population. However, because it is so costly and energy-intensive, large amounts of money would need to be invested in this process.
Water Well Wells can be constructed by digging or drilling into the earth to extract groundwater. Groundwater is naturally stored 20–600 feet below the earth’s surface (but can be over 3,000 feet deep in some areas). Although constructing wells can be very inexpensive, many communities do not have access to the drills, fuel, electricity, or solar power needed to reach water buried deep below the surface.
CHECK IT OUT ! Watch our student-narrated “Water in Haiti” video: http://www.concernusa.org/ gcc/medialibrary/
We need a global approach to this from all sides. We need to educate people, we need the scientists to create new technologies, we need the engineers to create the networks, we need every human being to be aware of how precious water is and save it. Do not waste it. Everybody has to be involved in a very firm and assertive way. —Isabel Allende, writer and environmentalist
References and Resources WATER National Geographic ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0209/ feature1/ UNESCO World Water Development Report www.unesco.org/new/en/naturalsciences/environment/water/wwap/ wwdr/ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/ebtpages/water.html Water.org http://water.org/ WHO www.who.int/topics/water/en/ World Bank http://youthink.worldbank.org/issues/ environment
organizations The Global Water Partnership www.gwpforum.org The World Water Council www.worldwatercouncil.org
United Nations Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply & Sanitation www.wssinfo.org Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council www.wsscc.org
haiti Amnesty International www.amnesty.org/en/region/haiti Ayiti: The Cost of Life Game http://ayiti.globalkids.org/game/ BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/ country_profiles/1202772.stm Human Rights Watch www.hrw.org/americas/haiti UNICEF http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti. html
Millennium Campaign www.endpoverty2015.org/goals/ environmental-sustainability World Water Day www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/ Global Handwashing Day www.globalhandwashingday.org/
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This publication is intended to inform readers about the issue of water and does not necessarily reflect the views of Concern Worldwide U.S. Inc. or Concern Worldwide on this issue. Concern Worldwide does not officially recommend or endorse any of these organizations. Concern Worldwide U.S. Inc. is a New York not-for-profit corporation exempt from Federal income taxation under section 501(c) (3). Concern Worldwide U.S. Inc. supports projects carried out in the field by Concern Worldwide, registered in Ireland. This publication was written and produced in 2004, updated in 2008 and 2012. Photos: Haiti, Concern Worldwide.