Isabela M., DOHA
Though so basic, yet so vital.
With a growing world population, water is increasingly becoming scarce.
Freshwater scarcity presents a growing problem which needs to be addressed urgently. It manifests itself in the depletion of groundwater, and the drying up of rivers and lakes upon which people depend for irrigation to grow their food. The intersection of water scarcity, food security, and a changing climate on top of it all raises a suite of water concerns.
About 5,000 children die each day due to preventable diarrheal diseases such as cholera and dysentery, which spread when people use contaminated water for drinking or cooking. A lack of water for personal hygiene leads to the spread of totally preventable ailments like trachoma, which has blinded some six million people.
The good news is many opportunities exist to use the water we have more productively. We have to quickly ensure efficient management of water resources.