Ghana Water Project

The West African nation of Niger has experienced one of the worst water crisis in the world that has left the population malnourished and in poverty. Location, climate and political instability can be attributed to the water scarcity, which not only leaves the nation lacking water, but in a state of underdevelopment. However, many non-government organisations have supported the nation and its people.

According to the Millennium Development Goals Report 2012, “783 million people, or 11 per cent of the global population, remain without access to an improved source of drinking water. Such sources include household connections, public standpipes, boreholes, protected dug wells, protected springs and rainwater collections.” (United Nations, 2012) The United Nations Water Conference in 1977 along with a few other conferences, addressed helping approximately “1.3 billion people in developing countries gain access to safe drinking water.” (United Nations, 2012) While there is progress being made, we see that various regions without clean drinking water. Reports show, “In four of nine developing regions, 90 per cent or more of the population now uses an improved drinking water source. In contrast, coverage remains very low in Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa, neither of which is on track to meet the MDG drinking water target by 2015. Over 40 per cent of all people without improved drinking water live in sub-Saharan Africa.” (United Nations, 2012) It is shown that rural areas still lack drinkable water as opposed to urban areas. Consistent improvement has been made to supply populated areas with a reliable source of drinking water. However, research shows, “Coverage with improved drinking water sources for rural populations is still lagging. In 2010, 96 per cent of the urban population used an

“Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. It is an affront to human dignity.” — Kofi Annan, prior United Nations Secretary-General

Thanks to the United Nations general assembly recognizing the need for clean water in Resolution 64/292, the states and international organizations have been called on to provide funding and resources to help developing countries provide safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water to all. This is a step in the right direction, seeing as women and children in some countries have to walk more than 30 minutes to collect water- if there is any water to collect at all.

The water and sanitation problem in the developing world is far too big for charity alone. Water.org is driving the water sector for new solutions, new financing models, greater transparency, and real partnerships to create lasting change. Their vision: Safe

Two out of every five people living in Sub-Saharan Africa lack safe water. A baby there is 500 times more likely to die from water-related illness than one from the United States. This is a serious ongoing issue that requires the rest of the world to take action. Water spreads diseases easily if the necessary precautions are not taken. Many developing African countries don’t have sewage treatment, or the people don’t have methods to filter and disinfect. Once a person is sick either there is no way to cure them, or medical care is too expensive, so they are left untreated with a high risk of death. Although many believe that the fight for sanitary water in Africa is insurmountable, people in these developing countries can overcome their challenge to access clean water and avoid water-borne diseases through proper sewage treatment facilities, universal water filtration and medical care.

The water crisis in Africa has many ill effects including diminished health, poor education and low productivity. Currently 319 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access reliable clean drinking water. When you don't have access to clean water your are much more likely to be exposed to diarrheal illnesses, which cause dehydration, starvation and eventually death. Currently 62% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population lives in rural areas. However, there are many negative consequences to living in a rural area. One main reason widespread access to clean water has not been achieved yet is because water is a very challenging material to transport and transporting water in rural areas with minimal infrastructure does not make transportation

The recent issues troubling SUb-Saharan African nations are chronically overburdened water systems under expanding stress from fast-growing urban areas. Corruption, weak governments, mismanagement of resources, poor long-term investment, and a deficiency of environmental analysis and urban infrastructure only inflame the

Africa is one country that has one of the biggest water problems. Africa’s water is very toxic due to the many human bodies being thrown into it Janjaweed militia fighting against the native tribes of Africa. Africans are then drinking and cooking with this contaminated water. In Africa, they do not have plumbing, so their sewer gets mixed into the water that they drink which then causes it to be unsafe. Consequently, three hundred thousand children are dying everyday because of contaminated water. Eighty five percent of diseases in Africa are caused by waterborne illness. Africa has a huge water pollution problem, many people are dying from their water.

Personally, I went through some problems of my own. As I said earlier, I know how it feels to have someone almost die of polluted water. My whole family drinks polluted water in Ethiopia, although they know it is dangerous. It’s, even more, dangerous when you get used to clean water somewhere else, then go back to drinking polluted water. Even bottled water is not clean since they just pack it from the lake, pond, or wherever they get

The purpose of this research paper is to discuss the water crisis in the region of Africa and how water can cause many other problems such as inadequate sanitation, poverty and diseases for the population. People living in third world countries are suffering from the water crisis that has become a major problem for the United Nations, World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, Millennium Development Goals and many of the other organizations. For some of these organizations have been successful in providing a bit more water through the years it’s still a working process. Water is essential for life, it’s not just for the body’s physical need; yet millions of people do not have access to clean water. The lack of accessible of fresh water contributes too many diseases such as HIV, AIDS, waterborne diseases, causing the death of millions of women and children annually in the region. This is making it harder for the communities to develop a safer home for their families and to improve the conditions of the country. This research paper will examine the problems, solutions and causes. How it all comes together, to contribute to this water crisis and to weather there is a solutions set by the United Nations, studies that have been conducted and other organizations, which can maybe work for the years to come. In addition, the same water problems are going to be discussed with regard to Africa for statics, examples and quotes done by the organizations in the past and

Approximately 4 trillion cubic meters of water is available every year, and only 4% of that is used. The continent and people lack the technical knowledge and financial resources. In Africa is the greatest percentage of people lacking access to safe drinking water, there are 25 nations in the world and 19 are in Africa. (The global challenge, 2011) So adequate management of its water resources is crucial for the future of the African continent.

The severe water crisis in Africa is one of the World’s leading problems. Kenya and South Africa have always had limited water resources, and now with their population continuing to grow, an increase in the demand for water is needed now more than ever before. Water plays a crucial role in continuing to help the continent of Africa develop and grow. This lack of water affects food security, impoverished people, and their health.

PROJECT TITLE: Lusiola (LEW-SHOR-AH) Environmental Group Water and Sanitation Project LOCATION: Kenya, Western Province, Vihiga District, Vihiga Division, Mungoma Location, Lusiola Sub-Location, Vigedze (VEE-GAY-ZA) Village SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL: The Lusiola Environmental Group seeks funding for improvements in water quality in Vigedze Village through the installation of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems, the protection of 11 community springs, and improvements to latrines. SPECIFIC PROJECT OBJECTIVES: 1) Installation of rainwater harvesting systems (Ksh 200,750; US$2808) 2) Protection of 11 springs (Ksh. 591,200; US$8211) 3) Improvements of latrines (Ksh

Water is the most important element on the planet. Not only is it important for the earth, in general, but it is key to our survival. Leonardo Da Vinci has said, "Water is the driving force of all nature" (Roberts). It is the building block of life. The average person can survive about a week without water (Ogunjimi). Lack of water is increasing worldwide, but Africa is currently affected the most. It is the second driest out of the 7 continents, following Australia ( ). Africa's water crisis is not solely based on the scarcity, but also the contamination of water and what actions can be taken towards the dilemma.