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With 2.6 million people dying each year from water-related illnesses and unsanitary conditions, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL finds it imperative that access to water, a widely recognized human right since 2010, be included as a real target of the Sustainable Development Goals, to be voted in September 2015 at the UN.
Following the publication of the “1st Water Barometer” on March 22nd, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL continues its fight for universal access to suitable drinking-water and sanitation by 2030 with its participation in the 7th World Water Forum (WWF), the main international event for water-related issues.
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL’s main goal during the meeting, to be held in South Korea from April 12-17, will be that access to suitable drinking-water, a well-acknowledged human right since 2010, be included as a real target of the 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be voted at the UN General Assembly in September 2015.
Including Humanitarian Action in the upcoming SDGs
The 7th WWF, whose goal is to bring water to the political agenda, to debate solutions for water-related problems, to formulate concrete propositions and to generate a strong political commitment at the international level, is thus a crucial event leading up to the UN General Assembly on the SDGs. “The 7th WWF will be the moment to remind everyone that humanitarian action must be included in the upcoming SDGs, that water, sanitation and hygiene are absolutely a individual goal, and that this goal must supported by measurable indicators with the corresponding financial resources, to ensure that all humanity has access to WASH resources by 2030,” insists Alain Boinet founder and 7th WWF representative of SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL. The end of this event will be marked by the publication of a “Ministerial Declaration” to serve as a political reference document and to be taken into account at the UN in September 2015.
The humanitarian urgency of access to water, hygiene and sanitation
Throughout this water-dedicated week, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL will put forth a number of key messages to be considered by the public and private sector actors present at the forum. “The NGO is especially focused on promoting the humanitarian urgency of access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) due to the fact that unsafe water constitutes a major cause of death,” explains Jean-Marc Leblanc, WASH advisor at SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL; “Even today, 2.6 million people lack access to adequate sanitation. 2.6 million individuals, 1.8 million of whom are children under the age of 15, die each year as a result of diseases linked to water and unsanitary conditions.”
“The organisation will also stress to financial backers, the urgent need to adapt their strategy and funding in order to allow their partner-NGOs, such as SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL, the ability to accomplish their mission of responding to precarious populations’ needs in post-crisis and emergency-reconstruction-development contexts,” specifies Alain Boinet.
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL to lead a session
Additionally, in the context of the French Water Partnership, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL will participate with Action Against Hunger (ACF) and Secours Islamique France Aquassure, the European commission ECHO, the French Water Agencies and the Water Society of Marseille in the official session dedicated to the process Emergency, Reconstruction Development process. And during the session “Water, source of life, source of drama: the role of stakeholders in responding to humanitarian crises” on April 16th from 4:00pm to 6:30pm SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL will present a case study from its experience in the Philippines in the aftermath of cyclone Haiyan, November 8, 2013, and its partnership with national and local authorities and businesses.
Since access to water, sanitation and hygiene is at the core of every battle that humanity must fight to ensure its own survival and development, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL intends to throw all its weight into making its voice heard by decision-makers during this 5-day water-dedicated event.
To request an interview or any additional information:
Tugdual de Dieuleveult – 0176218711 or 0664925037 – tdedieuleveult@solidarites.org