World Water Day Matters

March 20, 2008
World Water Day -The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.This day celebrates the value and importance of water in our everyday lives.

This year, World Water Day coincides with the International Year of Sanitation, challenging us to spur action on a crisis affecting more than one out of three people on the planet. More than 40 per cent of the world’s population continue to live without improved sanitation. It is estimated that 88% of the global burden of disease is attributable to unsafe water supply, lack of sanitation and hygiene and is mostly concentrated on children in developing countries. Every day, this contributes to the deaths of 5,000 children from largely preventable causes, including diarrhoeal diseases and parasites.

People around the world are encouraged to celebrate the day to draw attention to the world’s sanitation challenges.

Stand Up for Those Who Can't Sit Down


World Water Day Celebration in New York, 20 March 2008 - Come make a public statement with the longest toilet line and raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis.

Link to Sanitation Day flyer





UN-Water Launches Official World Water Day 2008 Website


UN Water officially launched the website for World Water Day 2008. The website features factsheets, videos and news on the upcoming World Water Day celebrations in Geneva.

Visit the World Water Day website




To learn more about World Water Day and how you can celebrate, click here

Or go straight to the source

-M.alandete