Access to drinking water in the world: a necessity in the fight against hunger

Imagine a world where everyone has access to clean water. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for more than 2 billion people in the world according to the UN. Either the water is far from their homes or it is unsafe. This water crisis is affecting health, education, and the economy. It is also detrimental to the fight against hunger. Indeed, an inadequate water supply makes agricultural production and food security difficult. But this situation is not inevitable. States, NGOs, associations, communities, individuals, we can all work together. Our goal: to ensure equitable access to drinking water for all and to reduce hunger in the world.

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The challenges around a vital resource: drinking water

Our food depends on water ‍

Access to water is essential for agriculture. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 70% of the fresh water collected in the world is used for it. The availability of adequate water resources therefore depends on the production of healthy and nutritious food, which is essential to meet the needs of the ever growing population and to fight hunger.

In regions where water is scarce, agricultural yields are regularly low, leading to increased food prices and increased food insecurity for millions of people. This situation particularly affects small-scale farmers, who often lack the resources to invest in expensive irrigation systems that can guarantee sufficient harvests.

In addition, The difficulty of accessing drinking water in the world has an impact on the health of farm animals. It compromises their productivity and their ability to provide products such as milk, meat and eggs, which are essential for a balanced diet of the population. Ensuring sufficient access to drinking water is therefore crucial not only for humans, but also for animal welfare.

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Did you know that? In developing countries, 90% of available fresh water is used to irrigate land, while this figure falls to 40% in industrialized countries. This disparity is explained by lower levels of precipitation and rapid population growth leading to increasing demand for agricultural products.‍

Unsafe water and undernutrition‍

When we think of famine, we necessarily think of the lack of food. But access to clean water and toilets is just as important! Indeed, the consumption of non-drinkable water, but also the absence of sanitation systems and good hygiene conditions can lead to undernutrition. The body lacks essential nutrients, is unable to absorb them due to repetitive diarrhea, and various infections due to bacteria, viruses and parasites contaminating water sources. According to the WHO, around 50% of cases of undernutrition in children are linked to infections caused by unsafe water., poor sanitation and unhygienic practices, including not washing hands with soap. It is therefore crucial to improve not only access to drinking water in the world, but also to sanitation services in order to combat this scourge.

In Bangladesh, in the village of Fulzanmura (Cox's Bazar district, Matarbari), our NGO LIFE , as part of its OASIS campaign, has installed 92 latrines in order to improve the daily life and well-being of 984 inhabitants. 2 of them meet the needs of people with disabilities. In the district of Moulvibazar, we have set up 10 latrines allowing 551 people to benefit from adequate sanitary facilities.
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Note: according to UNICEF, more than 2.3 billion people do not have access to adequate toilets!‍

The climate change challenge ‍

Climate change and extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, are a growing threat to water resources. These challenges threaten both the quality and quantity of the water upon which entire communities depend. Families living in regions subject to very high water stress are still struggling to access drinking water. This relentless search often forces them to leave their homes, making them more vulnerable to disease and food insecurity.

More than 1.42 billion people, including 450 million children, live in areas where there is a high risk of running out of water. According to a UNICEF report, the Horn of Africa, for example, is facing the worst drought episode it has experienced in 40 years. Thousands of people are leaving their villages, leaving their crops and livestock behind. In this context, the risk of malnutrition is increasing.

Population growth, urbanization and industrialization‍

Population growth is accelerating exponentially around the world. It is necessary to feed a constantly growing population, which means an increased demand for water for agriculture. Furthermore, living standards are increasing significantly, which means more water is consumed per person., especially in developing countries. In fact, we observe a Westernization of consumer habits, both in terms of food and equipment. Dietary regimes are changing with an increasing preference for foods whose production requires a considerable quantity of water (coffee, beef, etc.). This increase in water demand is all the more worrying when you consider that already millions of people do not have access to a safe and clean source of drinking water.
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Solutions to improve access to drinking water and reduce hunger in the world

Investing in water infrastructure ‍

By building wells, boreholes, and irrigation systems, we can ensure reliable access to clean water for communities around the world. These investments can also create local jobs and stimulate economic development.

At LIFE, We multiply well construction operations. In 10 years, more than 2000 projects have been implemented in 10 different countries. In Guinea, for example, and more precisely in the villages of Kindia, Boké, Kaporo and Koyahnotre, our NGO has set up 4 electric boreholes equipped with water towers. This program will improve access to drinking water for nearly 11,500 people, which will contribute to increasing food production and reducing hunger in the sector.

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Promote innovative technologies ‍

Water filters, rainwater harvesting systems, and dry toilets are all innovative technologies that can help improve access to clean water and sanitation services around the world. By encouraging the adoption of these technologies, diseases associated with unsafe water are decreasing and the quality of life of communities is increasing. ‍

Promoting sustainable agriculture ‍

Adopting sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroecology and organic farming, ensure the improvement of soil quality. They also make it possible to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and to produce food while maintaining water resources.‍

Educating communities in hygiene and sanitation practices ‍

By teaching communities basic hygiene and sanitation practices, such as hand washing and water disinfection, diarrheal diseases and undernutrition among children can be reduced.‍

Improving water governance 

It is important to ensure sustainable and equitable management of water. To do this, institutions responsible for water management must be strengthened, transparency and accountability promoted, and the participation of local communities encouraged. ‍

Strengthening international cooperation 

By working together, sharing knowledge, technology, and resources, countries can strengthen their capacity to ensure the fundamental right to access a source of safe and clean drinking water across the world. According to a recent report on food security, increased international cooperation is essential to ensure adequate and sustainable water supplies, while responding to the challenges of hunger and malnutrition. By collaborating on initiatives such as sharing best practices in water resource management, developing innovative technologies for sanitation, and improving infrastructure, countries can work together to address these critical global challenges.

Access to clean water in the world is inseparable from the fight against hunger. By ensuring that every population has reliable access to this vital resource, we can not only improve the health and well-being of millions of people, but also improve food security globally. However, to truly transform people's living conditions, it is necessary to take into account other key elements such as sanitation and hygiene. It is imperative that the international community redouble its efforts to ensure equitable access to these essential services in order to build a future where everyone, regardless of their situation, can live in good health and safety.

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