March 22, 2023 is World Water Day and the world is in the midst of a global water crisis. Our most precious resources are depleted, polluted and mismanaged. 700 children under 5 People are dying every day from diarrhea due to lack of access to clean water and sanitation. In many countries, women and girls have to travel miles to fetch water, exposing them to gender-based violence.
Even in America, the challenges are serious. Remember the plight of Jackson, Mississippi and Flint, Michigan. Worldwide, nearly 2.2 billion people still do not have access to safe drinking water, and 3.6 billion do not have adequate sanitation. If these basic needs are not met, people are forced to drink polluted water. They prepare meals, deliver babies, manage healthcare without being able to properly clean and disinfect. They live without the dignity of a toilet.
With 20 years of water leadership experience, I know that with the right focus, attention and resources, we can solve this crisis.
Some landmark achievements include passing two of my bipartisan bills, Senator Paul Simon. water for the poor and world water to deeds, to law. These bills made water, sanitation, and sanitation (“WASH”) assistance an objective of U.S. foreign aid and provided a regular source of public funding for projects in high-need priority countries. U.S. investments have provided approximately 60 million people with access to safe drinking water and approximately 45 million people with sustainable sanitation. We have built lasting partnerships with civic and religious groups, schools, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. Their commitment to support remains strong.
WASH prevents medical emergencies ranging from malnutrition, stunting, maternal and infant mortality, to the myriad infectious diseases that dramatically undermine global health security and economic development.
These investments are very economically efficient. $21 return Towards a more resilient future. Increasing WASH access $60 billion We contribute to the global economy every year while helping countries transition from aid to trading partners. In fact, low-income countries with adequate access to WASH grow at 3.7% per annum of GDP per capita, compared to 0.1% per annum in low-income countries without adequate WASH access. increase.
Despite impressive progress, it’s not enough.That’s why I co-founded Congress Global Water Security Caucus With Rep. Darrin Lahood (R-Illinois), Rep. Grace Meng (R-D), and the late Rep. Jackie Waroski (R-Ind.), we are focusing on water and sanitation on Capitol Hill. Our efforts are proudly bipartisan, proving that everything Congress does need not be extremely polarized.
Our Caucus has a particular interest in the role water can play in escalating global conflict.there are almost 286 river basins across bordersScarce water resources allow extremists to destabilize regions, take water hostage, or poison drinking water sources to sicken whole communities. It provides an opportunity to gain influence by Severe drought is fueling migration within and between countries, undermining already fragile governments and exacerbating the global refugee crisis.
WASH is one of the best ways for the United States to practice diplomacy, advance multiple global security goals, and demonstrate its commitment to fundamental humanitarian values. It is no coincidence that Americans consistently rank water among the most popular foreign aid categories. Getting this right and ending the water and sanitation crisis is our greatest priority. It’s a concern. This is what the world promised in 2015 when she adopted universal access to WASH as a sustainable development goal.
As the world gathers around water this week, United Nations Water Council, let us recommit to accelerating progress with this global focus. By treating water security as a human right, together we can create a safer world.
Earl Blumenauer represents Oregon’s Third District and is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and senior member of the Commerce Subcommittee. He co-founded the Global Water Security Caucus in his 2020 to provide monitoring and advocacy focused on water and sanitation issues.
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