The entire world is one family and we have to start treating each other as one family. As such, we have to start solving our critical problems by working together, collaborating and cooperating.
In the spirit of mutual concern and responsibility and in the quality of bestowal/love of others/altruism, we have to provide safe water and sanitation services to the entire world.
According to a 2012 report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), over 700 million people around the world still use unsafe drinking water sources and 2.5 billion people (36% of the world's population) lack improved sanitation facilities [1].
Coupled with poor hygiene, this has serious consequences: thousands of children die or get sick everyday, productivity is affected due to illnesses, health systems are overwhelmed, women spend large parts of their day fetching water etc.
Round tables need to be established to address these issues. We have to deal with these problems immediately and we have to solve them permanently.
Participants of the round tables could include representatives from all over the world, experts, professionals and/or leaders from: governments, not-for-profit organizations, the water supply and sanitation industries, healthcare and hygiene, logistics, technology and other relevant fields.
Once the round tables have been established, all the problem-solving discussions and deliberations should be transparent and broadcast live on television and/or the internet, giving everyone around the world a chance to comment and/or vote on relevant issues. Once the course of action has been decided, the solution can be implemented.
May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide us, may He lead us and may He show us the way. God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
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1. "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: 2012 Annual Report," United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (May 2013), http://www.unicef.org/wash/
Copyright © 2013, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
