World Water Day 2001: Water and Health
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The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that
grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and De-
velopment (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General As-
sembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water by
adopting resolution (A/res/47/193).
The theme for World Water Day 2001 is "Water and Health". For this
reason, and for the first time the World Health Organization (WHO) is
the lead agency for the day.
Water and health are inter-twined in many ways. Water is one of the
earth's most precious and threatened resources. Health is precious to
all of us and equally vulnerable. We need to protect and enhance them
both.
22 March is a unique occasion to remind everybody of the unseen con-
tribution water makes to health, and how it can reduce disease. Prac-
tical efforts can help us to make an impact as well as to increase
worldwide awareness of both problems and solutions. To make a differ-
ence our tasks include turning words into commitment and action.
World Water Day is celebrated by individuals and organizations world-
wide. WHO is putting its efforts behind ensuring awareness of the
day, providing information to assist celebration and providing a
route to learn what others are doing. Celebration is not confined to
the day, but throughout the year.
To support celebration of the day, a World Water Day web-site is be-
ing launched in collaboration between the IRC International Water and
Sanitation Centre and WHO. This will provide a wealth of information
on water and health issues and gives free access to information about
World Water Day. It will be updated throughout the year, forming the
main source to attract and empower the largest possible audience for
this event. The web-site will emphasize the importance of water and
health, providing an efficient and appropriate way to disseminate in-
formation. The site is launched in January 2001, featuring informa-
tion from around the world on World Water Day activities on the day,
and throughout the year. The address is:
http://www.worldwaterday.org
Information on the Web site will include:
'An advocacy guide' to encourage partners, international organiza-
tions, private companies, governments, NGO's, schools, and the commu-
nity at large to support and celebrate this unique occasion.
Disease fact sheets will describe each water related disease and will
provide you with the latest up to date information and statistics.
Theme articles linking water and health will highlight the cross cut-
ting issues such as poverty, war, flooding, infection human rights
and much more.
Case studies will be published covering success stories as well as
continuing water and health dilemmas. These will explore the crucial
need for adequate and safe water and how this can improve people's
health and well being.
An explanatory leaflet on World Water Day.
On the day, WHO will launch a new report aiming to raise awareness on
the vital links between adequate clean, safe water and health, pov-
erty alleviation, well being and overall sustainable development.