United Nations Radio

"With an estimated 884 million people relying on unimproved drinking water sources, access to safe drinking water is clearly a human rights issue, with serious implications for children's health, education and even personal security."

precious water

So says the UN Independent Expert on water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque.

In a joint statement on World Water Day, to be observed Monday, a group of UN human rights experts for water and sanitation, health, education, and violence against children, note that the lack of safe water poses numerous threats to the enjoyment of human rights.

And they have called for a special focus on children in increasing efforts to ensure access to safe water and sanitation is a reality for all.

UN expert on health Anand Grover warns that "Children are particularly vulnerable to water contamination." He points to figures from the UN children's agency-UNICEF and the World Health Organization which note that 1.5 million children under the age of five die annually because of lack of safe water, sanitation and associated hygiene, describing the numbers as. "...[a] scandalous situation that needs to be tackled, and children's right to health .... upheld."

Meanwhile, the UN expert on the right to education Vernor Muñoz Villalobos says lack of access to safe water and sanitation also has a devastating impact on education. The expert says "Waterborne illnesses keep children out of school, threatening their right to education," adding that "lack of education early in life poses dire consequences for children's development."

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio
Duration: 1'32"