UK government doubles support for water and sanitation
Winfreda Malilave holding a glass of clean water from the CAFOD-funded borehole.
Parishes and schools across the country will be delighted by the announcement today that the UK government is to double its support for water and sanitation projects in the world’s poorest countries.
The fact that over 60 million people are expected to benefit from this investment by 2015 shows that this is an announcement of huge significance. As part of CAFOD’s Thirst for Change campaign, tens of thousands of supporters across the country have been calling on the UK government to lead the way in ending water poverty this year, and this is a great reward for their efforts.
The announcement was made at the Sanitation and Water for All High Level Meeting in Washington D.C. where Finance, Development and Water Ministers from 50 countries came together, to accelerate efforts to bring clean water and safe sanitation to millions more people worldwide.
Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell called on the international community to stop neglecting water, sanitation and hygiene and join the UK in making it a critical priority.
Help make water and sanitation a priority: Thirst for change today>>
Andrew Mitchell said: "For too long, water and sanitation has not received the priority it deserves from the international community. But we know that without clean water supplies and proper sanitation, we will never help developing countries stand independently and thrive.”
CAFOD’s Head of Campaigns Clare Lyons said: “People in the UK are deeply concerned about the way in which the poorest are suffering due to a lack of safe water and sanitation. We’ve received over 25,000 Thirst for change actions so far, and more are flooding in each day.
With 783 million people living without access to drinking water and 2.5 billion safe sanitation, it is more crucial than ever that other world leaders now raise their ambition to end water poverty. Andrew Mitchell and David Cameron have thrown down the gauntlet and other Governments must follow their lead.”
David Cameron’s next opportunity to persuade his fellow global leaders on this issue will come at the G8’s Summit next month. CAFOD is calling on him to raise the issue of water and sanitation at the Camp David meeting, and seek firm political and financial commitments from all G8 members.
On 15 May, in advance of the G8 summit, we will be delivering Thirst for change actions to the Prime Minister. Please keep sending in your actions and messages, so that we can strengthen the UK government’s call on the international community to end the water and sanitation crisis once and for all.
