Educavox features LIFE

Access to water is far more than a basic biological need: it is a key driver of a country's sustainable and economic development. Sadly, this vital resource is unevenly shared across the world, and developing nations are hit especially hard.

Projections point to a significant rise in demand for water in the coming decades, driven mainly by growing urbanisation and global population growth. If action is not taken, billions of people could be left without access to clean drinking water by 2030.

Meeting this emergency calls for close collaboration between governments and NGOs.

In its article « How access to water has a lasting impact on a country's sustainable and economic development », Educavox highlights LIFE's work to expand access to clean drinking water around the world. Through our OASIS campaign, we build wells, water towers and fountains in many communities across Africa and Asia, helping to improve the health, education and environment of local people.

Yet despite our efforts and those of many others, mistrust of charities and insufficient funding remain major obstacles. Governments in developed countries are also being urged to do more to tackle water scarcity in certain regions, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Recognising water as an essential driver of economic development, and stepping up investment so that everyone has access to it, are vital to supporting nations' sustainable development. As well as improving public health and education, fair access to water could reduce conflicts over its scarcity, which climate change is making worse.

Putting water at the top of political agendas and mobilising sufficient resources are among the great challenges of our time if we are to secure a sustainable future for all.