ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of children will engage in activities organised by UN agencies across Pakistan today (Tuesday) to celebrate World Water Day, the aim of which is to highlight the importance of provision of safe drinking water for the improvement of health and social and economic development of the overall community.
This year's theme, “Water for cities: responding to the urban water challenge“ , focuses on the impact of rapid urbanisation on the availability of safe water. As Pakistan has one of the highest rates of urbanisation in South Asia, the theme is particularly relevant to the country as it struggles with its ability to provide clean drinking water.
According to figures provided by Unicef there are 1.1 billion people globally who lack access to clean and safe drinking water. In addition to this alarming disparity, there are also approximately 1.4 million children who die each year from water-borne diseases that can be easily prevented such as diarrhoea. In Pakistan it is estimated that as many as 60 million people do not have access to safe drinking water, and there are more than 100,000 child deaths per year that are a direct result of drinking unsafe water.
UN Agencies in collaboration with the ministry of environment have selected 840 children representing 143 schools from across the country to promote the World Water Day.
Unicef Deputy Representative for Pakistan, Karen Allen said, “Children represent today and tomorrow. Their ideas will make an impact not only by filtering through to their communities, but as they grow into adulthood."
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2011.
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