According to UNICEF India, about 67% of the 718 districts within India have been impacted by water depletion, making access to clean water challenging. Not only is clean water vital for basic sanitation and hydration, but it is also significant in shaping the lives of women and children. More often than not, women and children in India bear the responsibility of water collection when there is a lack of clean water. This means the number of children attending school in India declined, with children focusing on providing for their families. In addition, women who must collect water instead of working contribute to a loss of wages as well as overall productivity within the country.
Therefore, the provision and maintenance of a clean water system are essential to creating an efficient economy as well as positive welfare for the citizens of a country. WaterAid India works toward the goal of improving India’s quality of life through the implementation of WASH (the water, sanitation and hygiene strategy) as well as clean tap water.
Waterborne Diseases
According to UNICEF, India’s lack of access to clean water creates a threat of waterborne diseases not only to India’s residents but also its economy, as mentioned above. One can also attribute poor water quality to a lack of efficient waste disposal. Untreated wastewater flows into groundwater, rivers and lakes, contributing to the risk and spread of waterborne diseases. In addition to unsafe and unsanitary water, India’s cities and rural areas lack quality control, leaving the issue of clean water under-prioritized.
Waterborne diseases spread rapidly through contaminated water containing pathogens such as bacteria, intestinal parasites and viruses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global disease may be prevented through the development and implementation of systems that effectively provide and maintain clean water supply, hygiene and sanitation. Annually, waterborne diseases affect around 37.7 million people in India, while estimates have indicated that 1.5 million children in India contract diarrhea leading to fatality. Cases of waterborne diseases resulting from a lack of clean water flare up during rainy months because of a lack of proper management of and care for India’s water. In addition to waterborne diseases, infections also pose a serious threat due to contaminated water.
The cause of unhygienic water supply and poor management of water is correlated with rapid economic growth, dense population, substandard housing and deficient political governance. In addition, India, and especially the rural parts of India, lack knowledge about proper water management and sanitation, resulting in unsafe defecation practices, water pollution and poor hygiene.
WaterAid
WaterAid focuses on developing sustainable systems for communities in need of help. The non-governmental organization is committed to providing assistance for remote and rural communities which are often located in areas a distance away from a reliable and sanitary water source.
The strategy that WaterAid implemented involves the installation of taps as well as first analyzing various factors regarding the challenge of tap installation. WaterAid’s process involves assessing the community’s landscape, water source and safety. Then the organization conducts tests on the community’s water to look at PH, iron and sodium levels to name a few. In conducting a test of the community’s water, WaterAid provides the necessary sterilization tools to provide clean water. Following water testing, WaterAid conducts a search for nearby institutions which may also need access to water such as schools or health care facilities. Then it is crucial for WaterAid to analyze the climate in order to follow up with the engineering and construction of taps for the community.
WaterAid India
The primary goal of WaterAid India is to implement the water, sanitation and hygiene strategy, or WASH. WaterAid India focuses on sustainable strategies to provide clean water access and sanitation. The organization educates the country’s local communities, integrating conservation and water harvesting and promoting skills for water management.
India’s state of Madhya Pradesh has integrated WaterAid as a member of the state-level Task Force, and as a result, WaterAid has implemented tap water systems within the state. In the city of Delhi, India, WaterAid India has encouraged water distribution models for the community. In addition, WaterAid India and the Jal Jeevan Mission of Assam signed a Memorandum of Understanding ensuring the provision of sanitary tap water in rural India. WaterAid India not only creates a meaningful impact by building resources and disseminating knowledge but also strives to work in collaboration with governments, local organizations, businesses, utility companies, governments and development partners to work with the people of India and strengthen access to clean water.
WaterAid India’s influence can be heard through countless stories sharing the improved quality of life of residents. In the village of Govardhanpur, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the drains lining the community are now clean, a testament to the success of WaterAid’s efficient strategy and implementation. Govardhanpur’s drains are no longer congested with trash, and waterborne diseases have declined. Prior to WaterAid’s assistance, the main issue causing the village’s contamination was due to improper garbage disposal and management which would allow garbage to flow into the water. WaterAid India worked with the community to create a waste collection system, making way for a cleaner, more sanitary community.
Conclusion
All in all, the WaterAid network and WaterAid India have created systems whereby communities in need of clean water (basic human rights) are now able to live and maintain hygienic lifestyles. So far, WaterAid India says the organization has “helped more than 3.7 million people gain access to safe water, and 9.7 million people gain access to proper sanitation.”
– Bianca Roh
Photo: Flickr
Hawaii’s Tourism Dilemma: Impact on Poverty
Strains on Resources
While tourism breathes life into Hawaii’s economy, it also exerts tremendous pressure on the islands’ resources. The demand for accommodations, water and energy strains already limited supplies. Due to the severe drought and the depletion of water supplies, West Maui residents and Upcountry villages were subject to mandatory water restrictions starting on June 30, 2022. The use of water for non-essential purposes, such as watering lawns or washing cars, might result in a $500 punishment and having their water meters taken away for locals from these regions. However, the tourist sector, which uses 44.7% of Hawaii’s water, is not subject to any water restrictions. This struggle for essential resources often forces residents to contend with water rationing and conservation efforts, affecting their quality of life.
Rising Costs and Widening Poverty Gaps
The influx of tourists has brought with it rising costs that hit residents hard. The cost of living has surged, particularly in terms of housing and everyday essentials. From 2019 to 2022, Maui County’s housing prices rose by nearly 35%; they had already been rising since the financial crisis. Additionally, based on statistics from the Council for Community and Economic Research, Hawaii had the highest cost of living in 2022.
Skyrocketing housing and high cost of living prices have led to displacement for many locals, as investors snatch up properties for vacation rentals.
Cultural Erosion
The cultural erosion brought about by mass tourism is a poignant concern. Native Hawaiians, who hold a deep spiritual connection to their land, often feel that their traditions and values are commodified for profit. The influx of visitors seeking superficial representations of Hawaiian culture can overshadow the authentic practices and beliefs of the local community, further eroding the island’s unique identity.
Tackling Hawaii’s tourism dilemma involves recognizing the importance of cultural preservation as a means to both attract visitors and empower local communities.
The Positive Impact
Despite these challenges, the impact of tourism isn’t entirely negative. It has propelled economic growth, generating jobs, investment opportunities and revenue streams that support local infrastructure and services. A quarter of Hawaii’s GDP comes from the tourism industry. The tourism sector in 2019 supported a total of 216,000 jobs across the state. It also resulted in nearly $17.8 billion in tourist spending and contributed more than $2 billion in tax revenue for the state.
Moreover, tourism provides a platform to showcase Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage and environmental significance to a global audience. By engaging visitors in educational experiences, the islands can foster a greater appreciation for their unique attributes.
Moving Toward a Balanced Future
Addressing Hawaii’s tourism dilemma requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into account the need to alleviate poverty, preserve culture and ensure a sustainable flow of visitors.
A key pillar to finding effective solutions to Hawaii’s tourism dilemma requires involving local communities in decision-making processes. Residents, who are the heart of Hawaii, possess a profound understanding of the islands’ needs and sensitivities. By giving them a voice in shaping tourism policies and regulations, the industry could become more attuned to the wishes and concerns of those who call Hawaii home. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for the islands’ well-being.
Balancing the scales of tourism also means supporting local businesses and economies. Encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known destinations and engage with off-the-beaten-path experiences redirects economic benefits to smaller communities. Promoting sustainable agriculture and indigenous crafts not only diversifies revenue streams but also safeguards Hawaii’s authenticity against a homogenized tourist culture. Additionally, encouraging tourists to explore less crowded areas will prevent damage to vulnerable cultural and natural sites.
Dr. Agrusa asked hundreds of participating U.S. tourists what they would be prepared to do to make sure their visits benefited Hawaii and its residents. Around four out of 10 respondents stated they would be willing to pay 10% more at restaurants if it meant that local suppliers would profit more from the food supply chain and pay more during their stay to respect Hawaiian culture.
Hawaii’s tourism challenge stands at a crossroads, casting both concerns and the need for a balanced future. As mass tourism on the islands causes strains on resources, vanishing cultural roots and increasing poverty levels, embracing community voices and fostering local economies emerges as a solution to foster sustainable tourism.
– Hannah Klifa
Photo: Unsplash
Strategies for Eradicating Global Health Threats
The Link Between Poverty and Global Health Threats
The connection between poverty and infectious diseases presents a vicious cycle. People in impoverished communities are susceptible to infectious diseases, exacerbating poverty. Poor communities often lack clean water, sanitation facilities and nutritious food. This lack weakens the immune system and makes individuals more susceptible to infection.
Overcrowded living conditions are often common among poorer communities, and they can foster the spread of diseases. Limited access to health care is another reason disease can spread among a community. Many diseases, like malaria, HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, disproportionately affect low-income communities.
Among the poor, communicable diseases cause the most deaths and disabilities. Each year, approximately 1.5 million people die from tuberculosis. 77% of malaria deaths involve children, and 36 million people have died from HIV/AIDS globally.
On average, low-income countries spend about $23 per year per person on health. Health services and medicines are too expensive for many people in low-income countries, with 35% of the expenses handled by donors.
How to Address Global Health Threats
Addressing the cycle of poverty and infectious diseases requires a multi-pronged approach. This approach should not only target infectious diseases but should also address social and economic disparities. The following strategies include methods for addressing poverty and infectious diseases.
Although poverty and infectious diseases are inextricably linked, it is possible to overcome them. With concerted effort, governments and communities can address the root causes of disease and poverty to help create a world where impoverished communities no longer have to suffer from either issue. Access to clean water, sanitation, health care and education are basic human rights that can help eradicate poverty and infectious diseases. By investing in these areas, countries can collectively work towards improving the lives of millions of people and creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.
– Joy Loving
Photo: Flickr
Saving Lives: How Vaccine Campaigns Are Controlling Cholera in Kenya
How Cholera Is Spread
In cases of epidemics, such as the cholera outbreak in Kenya, the bacteria is typically found in food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. Transmitted through contaminated water and food, cholera spreads quickly in places lacking sanitation, adequate water treatment and hygienic waste disposal. Poverty increases the likelihood of a cholera outbreak due to communities having little access to clean water and sanitation. Kenya’s ongoing drought has only made accessing any source of clean water even more difficult.
Kenya’s Cholera Vaccine Campaign
Health authorities aimed to vaccinate 1.59 million people in eight of the most high-risk counties in Kenya to control the spread of cholera. The vaccine campaign lasted ten days, from August 3 to August 12. In only ten days, the vaccine drive surpassed its goal. 1.67 million people received the oral cholera vaccine. Dr. Emmanuel Okunga, the head of the Health Ministry’s Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, attributes this success to their vaccination strategy
The Kenyan cholera vaccine drive deployed 1,886 vaccinators and 943 volunteers. These teams vaccinated community members in health facilities, churches, mosques, public water taps and settlements, and they even traveled from home to home. Another part of this successful vaccine drive is that the people in Kenya know the danger of a cholera infection, and they want to protect themselves. Many people crossed county boundaries to receive the vaccine. A single dose of the vaccine protects a person from contracting a cholera infection anywhere between six months and two years.
Improving Sanitation and Increasing Access to Clean Water
Efforts to improve sanitation and water in Kibera, a neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, have become part of an ongoing project to boost health and safety in the settlement. In Kibera, 20 ablution blocks, public washrooms with toilets, have been built in parks to give people access to toilets that utilize proper waste management techniques. Along with these governmental efforts, non-government organizations are helping out.
Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) is building water ATMs throughout the 13 villages in Kibera. They have already placed 25 water ATMs with plans to build more. A single water ATM can provide safe and clean water to at least 100 households daily. Accessing water through these water ATMs is also cheap.
Most water vendors in the region charge up to 50 Kenyan shillings for a 20-liter can of water. This amount translates to receiving about five gallons of water for $0.37. Many members of the community are unable to afford that. At SHOFCO water ATMs, the same amount of water can be bought for only two Kenyan shillings, which is about $0.015. This water system has drastically changed the sanitation status in many villages because more people can access clean water for drinking, household use and toilets.
With continued vaccination efforts and access to clean water and sanitation facilities, there is a clear path to control the cholera outbreak in Kenya.
– Jacey Carey
Photo: Flickr
5 Charities Operating in Ghana
5 Charities Operating in Ghana
In conclusion, charities operating in Ghana play a vital role in addressing the country’s social and economic challenges. Through their various programs and initiatives, these organizations are making significant strides in areas such as education, food security, poverty alleviation and promoting sustainable development. With their commitment to creating positive change and improving the lives of Ghanaians, charities are key partners in the country’s journey towards a brighter and more equitable future.
– Jodie Donovan
Photo: Flickr
Buffalo Bicycles Reduce Poverty in Africa
Buffalo Bicycles
The specially designed Buffalo bicycles are made of steel and feature puncture-resistant tires to handle long distances and irritable climates. The bicycles can also carry a load of up to 200kg.
With a goal of reaching 5 million people with bicycles by 2025, World Bicycle Relief works with governments, companies and collaborators to “implement impactful, cost-effective, holistic bicycle mobility programs that are community-led and managed, Wobased on an evidence-based approach and with gender intentionality,” the organization says. Since its founding in 2005, the organization has helped 681,000 people pedal away from poverty in Africa.
Access to education is crucial in the fight against poverty, and in Africa one in three adults cannot read, leaving 48 million aged 15–24 illiterate, according to a 2020 study by the World Bank. Thirty-three million children (22%) do not attend school of any kind — 74% of children aged 5–9. This is why these bicycles are changing women’s lives in Africa by allowing them to travel through tough terrains and handle heavy loads for long distances. Poverty in Africa also forces citizens to walk long distances for essential resources such as water, but with the Buffalo Bicycle, they are able to transport essential items home in an easy and safe manner.
Female Empowerment
Only 30% of the organization’s programming covers men, as World Bicycle Relief realizes the far-reaching impact of empowering girls and women in order to shape futures and reduce poverty.
For instance, the Buffalo bicycle allows girls to travel to school easily. As education is a proven pathway out of poverty, World Bicycle Relief helps girls break cycles of poverty by giving them a means of transport to attend school.
According to the World Bank, “Educated females may strengthen national economies by entering the workforce and, with a secondary education, earn more money to help raise themselves and their families out of poverty.” In general, research proves that the empowerment of girls and women plays a significant role in poverty reduction. As such, efforts to address poverty are ineffective unless initiatives are female-focused.
A study done in Zambia found that providing girls with Buffalo bicycles increased punctuality, reduced absences by 28%, led to higher test scores and increased safe passage from harassment by 22%, in addition to saving them roughly an hour a day that they would normally spend on walking.
Since 2013, the Zambian Ministry of Education and the World Bicycle Relief have worked together to “Help 36,977 rural girls get to school quickly and safely with specially designed bicycles,” according to the United Nations. The United States Agency for International Development also assisted in October 2021 by creating grants to aid access to bicycles in an attempt to fight poverty in Africa. Empowering girls and women to access essential resources and critical services, like education and health care, through the provision of basic transportation helps to improve their quality of life.
Final Thoughts
When the only option for getting anywhere is to walk through dangerous areas in unrelenting climates, the need for easy and no-cost transportation changes the lives of those living in these impoverished regions. This allows women and children to take the reins of their own futures and improve the quality of life — not only for themselves but for future generations as well.
– Jennifer Arias
Photo: Unsplash
Effective Charities Reducing Poverty
One of the most straightforward methods to combat extreme poverty is contributing to charities dedicated to this cause. However, the positive impact a donation can have varies between different organizations. Despite this, only 38% of U.S. donors research where their money is going. Fortunately, websites such as TheLifeYouCanSave and GiveWell provide valuable data to help individuals identify effective charities that reduce poverty globally. Here are three charities reducing poverty. They are different, yet highly cost-effective and impactful, organizations worthy of support.
Effective Charities Reducing Poverty
Looking Ahead
These charities reducing poverty continue to do incredible, life-changing work to reduce extreme poverty. GiveDirectly offers an economic approach by providing families with an allowance to help them not only survive but thrive, while Malaria Consortium, the Against Malaria Foundation and the Helen Keller Foundation focus on health as they try to prevent deaths from malaria and malnutrition.
– Alice Isola
Photo: Flickr
A Look At Regenerative Farming in India
Since 2019, India has attempted to put additional focus on their agricultural development. However, their plan to become land-degradation-neutral by 2030 has proven to be challenging, primarily due to an increased need for eco-friendly technology. Luckily, regenerative farming in India, a modern solution that emphasizes soil health and protects the environment, has the potential to make Indian farming more eco-friendly while also boosting the income of India’s farmers.
Long-term studies have found that regenerative agriculture is not only more efficient than regular farming methods but is also more friendly to the environment. As a result, this new method not only benefits the farming community but can also have a significant impact on poverty in India, as the quality and quantity of food is substantially improved. Organizations such as Regenagri and Regenerative Organic Certified are spearheading this initiative due in part to its potential to alleviate poverty in India.
India’s Land Degradation Crisis
As of 2023, roughly 30% of India’s total geographical area is degraded land, unfit for growing quality crops. Although land degradation caused by soil erosion is a natural part of the farming process, the loss of topsoil due to erosion occurs at a rate faster than soil can regenerate. As a result, nations such as India are at risk of desertification, which poses a considerable threat to the well-being of the nation’s population.
Desertification leads to a lack of accessibility to natural resources required for human survival and development, also known as “ecological poverty.” Ecological poverty has inextricable ties to income poverty; if ecological poverty is not averted, then the fight against global poverty can never succeed.
Regenerative Agriculture’s Impact on Poverty
To fight off desertification and land degradation, certain organizations are encouraging the utilization of regenerative agriculture, an eco-friendly strategy that prioritizes soil fertility and improves water and energy management. The primary goal is to heavily alter the agricultural process in order to guarantee a more plentiful and stable yield while keeping financial and environmental costs low.
This is achieved through various eco-friendly additions to the farming process, such as covering bare soil to prevent carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere, integrating livestock more seamlessly and attempting to protect the soil from as many disturbances as possible.
The end result of this strategy is a farming method that is not only beneficial for the environment but also considerably boosts the quality and quantity of crops produced while farming. Consequently, the utilization of regenerative agriculture can improve the availability of food and other goods in India, thereby fighting back against poverty in the nation. This coincides with the need to combat ecological poverty. By utilizing regenerative agriculture, the health and accessibility of necessary natural resources have significantly improved.
Current Initiatives and Organizations
Regenagri, developed jointly by Solidaridad and Control Union, is one organization that has already seen success in India with its regenerative agriculture initiative. Regenagri has brought regenerative agriculture processes to 1.25 million acres of land. Regenerative Organic Certified, an initiative made up of several organizations and companies such as Patagonia, is the other main body pursuing regenerative farming in India. Major food companies such as Nestle are also pursuing efforts in the regenerative agriculture sphere.
With a considerable number of organizations already partaking in this initiative, India’s farming methods should see considerable improvement. If regenerative agriculture proves to be successful, India will be one step closer to their land-degradation-neutral goal.
– Liam Kahan
Photo: Flickr
How the UK is Helping Expand Rwanda’s Education System
On August 31, 2023, the U.K. announced that Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell will visit Rwanda for the commencement of a new education initiative, Girls in Rwanda Learn (GIRL). Mitchell will attend the annual Gorilla naming ceremony, symbolizing the United Kingdom’s commitment to battle poverty in Rwanda. Here is how GIRL is helping address the limitations of Rwanda’s education system.
About the Struggles of Rwanda’s Education System
The National Institute of Rwanda’s 2022 report illustrated the need for reform of Rwanda’s education system, with a mere 25% of students advancing from primary to secondary school. This lackluster education is reflected in the labor force, as the national report displays that only 17% of the labor force has a secondary school education. With a small proportion of the population gaining secondary education, most youths are fighting for the same jobs, with the stiff competition for work resulting in a 22% youth unemployment rate as of 2020.
Rwanda’s educational struggles have culminated in a poor economy, with the UN reporting in 2021 that around 44% of the population is in poverty and another 22% is at risk of falling into poverty. With poverty impacting nearly half the nation, severe economic pressure ends up on the children of the nation to assist the household, contributing to the lack of educational participation.
About the GIRL Initiative
Mitchell proclaimed that with the U.K.’s involvement and investment into Rwanda, they will be able to tackle “a range of issues important to both nations and the region, including climate change and women and girls’ education.” The U.K.’s GIRL initiative focuses on funding the education of girls in Rwanda whose economic situation would not allow them to pursue education.
With the program drawing from a fund of 60 million Great British Pounds, the GIRL initiative will last until 2030 and improve the learning conditions in nearly half of the poorest schools in Rwanda. Mitchell declared that through “our support to help eradicate poverty, educate children, especially girls, and provide British expertise to improve the delivery of public services for all,” the initiative will likely impact nearly 700,000 children.
The GIRL initiative will provide services, including programs that assist those with disabilities, formulating a system to prevent girls from prematurely dropping out of school and a digital library for students to access resources.
How UNICEF is Helping
Additionally, UNICEF backs the GIRL initiative. UNICEF allocated more than 12 million pounds on top of the preexisting 60 million. With both the U.K. and UNICEF showing support for Rwanda’s education system, the nation is finally receiving the attention and backing required to propel itself out of the poverty plaguing the nation.
While the U.K. has begun implementing the GIRL initiative, the U.K. will continue to build its relationship with Rwanda. Meeting in April 2024 at the U.K.-African Investment Summit, the U.K. displays continued interest in assisting the nation in its battle with poverty.
To support Rwanda’s fight against poverty, UNICEF plans to support the children of Rwanda and provide them with adequate infrastructure to rise above poverty.
– Dimitri Lykidis
Photo: Flickr
How the Arbaeen Pilgrimage Helps Combat Poverty
Every year, millions travel to the holy city of Karbala, Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, an occasion which marks 40 days after Ashura, when the grandson of the Holy Prophet, Imam Hussein, was killed in 680 AD. The pilgrimage consists of walking 50 miles from Najaf to Karbala and is a show of support for social justice, dignity and compassion. The official number of visitors during the 10-day period surpassed 22 million people on September 6, 2023, making it the largest and most peaceful gathering in the world. Shia Muslims largely attended the commemoration, as well as many Sunni Muslims and Christians who also visited to pay their respect to Imam Hussein. Here is how the Arbaeen pilgrimage helps those in poverty.
Hospitality and Kindness in the Face of Poverty
One of the most beautiful elements of the Arbaeen pilgrimage is the extensive hospitality that participants offer to all kinds of people. Participants provide water, food, shelter and transportation to visitors for free, no matter their age, ethnicity or religion. Along the walking path from Najaf to Karbala, there are thousands of food and refreshment stalls with spaces for resting and medical attention, set up to serve all passers-by. One table holds the world record for the world’s largest dining table.
UNICEF’s 2020 Report
UNICEF reports that 4.5 million Iraqis are now below the poverty line for socio-economic and COVID-related reasons. Iraq, with a poverty rate of 31.7%, still makes room every year for millions of visitors to commemorate the family of the Prophet, and in doing so provides stability and hospitality to the many Iraqis who are unable to make ends meet. The scale of hospitality led one visitor to claim that it makes one “want to give back.” The event helps those who don’t have access to basic human necessities such as food, water and shelter and helps combat poverty.
Helping the Poor Worldwide During Arbaeen
During the period of Arbaeen, there are several independent organizations that operate inside Iraq and outside, to help combat poverty. For instance, the charity Who Is Hussain, a grassroots social justice movement, operates on five continents to help feed and clothe the poor. Overall, it has accumulated around 50,000 blood donations, saved more than 140,000 lives and helped feed more than 700,000 people. During the period of Arbaeen, its teams provide voluntary initiatives around the world like donating blood, alongside distributing food, drink and masks to citizens, to countries including “USA, France, Britain, Pakistan, Lebanon as well as African cities and countries suffering from poverty.”
Looking Forward
Despite Iraq’s many years of war and suffering, every year the Arbaeen pilgrimage showcases the many beautiful things Iraq has to offer, demonstrating its resilience and hospitality to the world. The hospitality of Arbaeen helps those who may not have a place to sleep at night or a warm meal to come home to, providing hope to Iraqis — and all humanity.
– Amber Hamed
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
WaterAid India: A Country in Need of Clean Water
According to UNICEF India, about 67% of the 718 districts within India have been impacted by water depletion, making access to clean water challenging. Not only is clean water vital for basic sanitation and hydration, but it is also significant in shaping the lives of women and children. More often than not, women and children in India bear the responsibility of water collection when there is a lack of clean water. This means the number of children attending school in India declined, with children focusing on providing for their families. In addition, women who must collect water instead of working contribute to a loss of wages as well as overall productivity within the country.
Therefore, the provision and maintenance of a clean water system are essential to creating an efficient economy as well as positive welfare for the citizens of a country. WaterAid India works toward the goal of improving India’s quality of life through the implementation of WASH (the water, sanitation and hygiene strategy) as well as clean tap water.
Waterborne Diseases
According to UNICEF, India’s lack of access to clean water creates a threat of waterborne diseases not only to India’s residents but also its economy, as mentioned above. One can also attribute poor water quality to a lack of efficient waste disposal. Untreated wastewater flows into groundwater, rivers and lakes, contributing to the risk and spread of waterborne diseases. In addition to unsafe and unsanitary water, India’s cities and rural areas lack quality control, leaving the issue of clean water under-prioritized.
Waterborne diseases spread rapidly through contaminated water containing pathogens such as bacteria, intestinal parasites and viruses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global disease may be prevented through the development and implementation of systems that effectively provide and maintain clean water supply, hygiene and sanitation. Annually, waterborne diseases affect around 37.7 million people in India, while estimates have indicated that 1.5 million children in India contract diarrhea leading to fatality. Cases of waterborne diseases resulting from a lack of clean water flare up during rainy months because of a lack of proper management of and care for India’s water. In addition to waterborne diseases, infections also pose a serious threat due to contaminated water.
The cause of unhygienic water supply and poor management of water is correlated with rapid economic growth, dense population, substandard housing and deficient political governance. In addition, India, and especially the rural parts of India, lack knowledge about proper water management and sanitation, resulting in unsafe defecation practices, water pollution and poor hygiene.
WaterAid
WaterAid focuses on developing sustainable systems for communities in need of help. The non-governmental organization is committed to providing assistance for remote and rural communities which are often located in areas a distance away from a reliable and sanitary water source.
The strategy that WaterAid implemented involves the installation of taps as well as first analyzing various factors regarding the challenge of tap installation. WaterAid’s process involves assessing the community’s landscape, water source and safety. Then the organization conducts tests on the community’s water to look at PH, iron and sodium levels to name a few. In conducting a test of the community’s water, WaterAid provides the necessary sterilization tools to provide clean water. Following water testing, WaterAid conducts a search for nearby institutions which may also need access to water such as schools or health care facilities. Then it is crucial for WaterAid to analyze the climate in order to follow up with the engineering and construction of taps for the community.
WaterAid India
The primary goal of WaterAid India is to implement the water, sanitation and hygiene strategy, or WASH. WaterAid India focuses on sustainable strategies to provide clean water access and sanitation. The organization educates the country’s local communities, integrating conservation and water harvesting and promoting skills for water management.
India’s state of Madhya Pradesh has integrated WaterAid as a member of the state-level Task Force, and as a result, WaterAid has implemented tap water systems within the state. In the city of Delhi, India, WaterAid India has encouraged water distribution models for the community. In addition, WaterAid India and the Jal Jeevan Mission of Assam signed a Memorandum of Understanding ensuring the provision of sanitary tap water in rural India. WaterAid India not only creates a meaningful impact by building resources and disseminating knowledge but also strives to work in collaboration with governments, local organizations, businesses, utility companies, governments and development partners to work with the people of India and strengthen access to clean water.
WaterAid India’s influence can be heard through countless stories sharing the improved quality of life of residents. In the village of Govardhanpur, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the drains lining the community are now clean, a testament to the success of WaterAid’s efficient strategy and implementation. Govardhanpur’s drains are no longer congested with trash, and waterborne diseases have declined. Prior to WaterAid’s assistance, the main issue causing the village’s contamination was due to improper garbage disposal and management which would allow garbage to flow into the water. WaterAid India worked with the community to create a waste collection system, making way for a cleaner, more sanitary community.
Conclusion
All in all, the WaterAid network and WaterAid India have created systems whereby communities in need of clean water (basic human rights) are now able to live and maintain hygienic lifestyles. So far, WaterAid India says the organization has “helped more than 3.7 million people gain access to safe water, and 9.7 million people gain access to proper sanitation.”
– Bianca Roh
Photo: Flickr