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03-22-2005, 11:33 AM
WORLD WATER DAY - 22 March 2005
By UNICEF Maldives (English News)
22/3/2005
The World Water Day for 2005 (22 March) is guided by the new water decade’s theme “ Water for Life”, the starting day for the new International Decade on Water 2005 – 2015. As the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” begins, the United Nations and Governments are seeking to galvanize efforts to meet the internationally agreed target on halving the number of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015.
Nowhere is this objective more apt then in the tsunami affected countries almost 100 days after the catastrophic event. In response to the situation and as per Government appeal, UNICEF Maldives jointed efforts, not only for the reconstruction and extension of water and sanitation systems but more importantly to assist affected people in additional ways. Everybody, including school children, need to understand and develop safe practices to improve hygiene, prevent disease and promote positive attitudes towards good health.
Significant quantities of water and hygiene emergency supplies have been provided to over 22,000 people on 69 islands through UNICEF’s assistance. In addition and as part of the post Tsunami emergency response, UNICEF has donated 23 desalination plants, known as reverse osmosis units (ROs), with the capacity for the production of 10,000 liters of drinking water per day by each unit. Five of these units will be mounted on boats to assist in the provision of drinking water to isolated islands and UNICEF will also provide funds to cover the operational costs of these units. All ROs are currently being transported to the islands with the greatest need. Two thousand and five hundred storage tanks - with a capacity varying from 2.5 to 5.0 cubic meters -, have been made available to affected people through UNICEF’s assistance. This will increase the storage capacity of collected rainwater by 7 and half million liters in schools, health centers and households. The installation of these water tanks is already completed in some schools.
In line with the World’s Millennium Development Goals for the water and sanitation sector, UNICEF’s approach for addressing water needs jointly with sanitation and hygiene components in a holistic manner will improve impact and benefits. Therefore efforts are being made to help people protect their health and make the best use of the water & sanitation facilities being provided. UNICEF is assisting the government in the development and implementation of a good hygiene promotion strategy and activities for behavioural change, targeting school children, their caregivers and communities. Hygiene messages focus on those behaviors that pose the greatest threats to the well-being of women and children, such as non-hand washing at critical times, that is after using the toilet and before cooking and eating.
The disposal of sewage is one of the most challenging problems facing the Maldives. Sewage disposal in areas of high water table levels, as in every island in the Maldives, is exceptionally difficult and UNICEF is working in partnership with the Government and other UN agencies to find sustainable solutions.
UNICEF’s approach in the Maldives emphasizes “school centered interventions”. This focuses UNICEF’s support in water & sanitation, health & nutrition, basic education and special protection to schools as a recognition of school children’s ability to help schools and communities change behaviour. Therefore, in addition to the substantial and well known contributions to the education sector, UNICEF will help provide each school with water and sanitation facilities, and assist in the adoption of safe hygiene practices among school children for good health and to improve their capacity for better learning.
World Water Day 2005 is a key milestone in the new International Decade on Water and reminds us of the enormous challenges ahead. We need clear commitments and joint efforts to ensure the wellbeing of women and children. The “Water for Life” theme, will spur UNICEF - Maldives to help achieve universal goals, working closely with the Government of Maldives, particularly the Ministries of Health and Education and the Maldives Water & Sanitation Authority, as well as other partners in development to improve the health and quality of life of women and children through the provision of safe water supplies, clean toilets and good hygiene habits of every Maldivian child and adult.
http://www.aafathisnews.com.mv/main.asp?inctype=english&StoryID=5339,001100030005.asp
By UNICEF Maldives (English News)
22/3/2005
The World Water Day for 2005 (22 March) is guided by the new water decade’s theme “ Water for Life”, the starting day for the new International Decade on Water 2005 – 2015. As the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” begins, the United Nations and Governments are seeking to galvanize efforts to meet the internationally agreed target on halving the number of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015.
Nowhere is this objective more apt then in the tsunami affected countries almost 100 days after the catastrophic event. In response to the situation and as per Government appeal, UNICEF Maldives jointed efforts, not only for the reconstruction and extension of water and sanitation systems but more importantly to assist affected people in additional ways. Everybody, including school children, need to understand and develop safe practices to improve hygiene, prevent disease and promote positive attitudes towards good health.
Significant quantities of water and hygiene emergency supplies have been provided to over 22,000 people on 69 islands through UNICEF’s assistance. In addition and as part of the post Tsunami emergency response, UNICEF has donated 23 desalination plants, known as reverse osmosis units (ROs), with the capacity for the production of 10,000 liters of drinking water per day by each unit. Five of these units will be mounted on boats to assist in the provision of drinking water to isolated islands and UNICEF will also provide funds to cover the operational costs of these units. All ROs are currently being transported to the islands with the greatest need. Two thousand and five hundred storage tanks - with a capacity varying from 2.5 to 5.0 cubic meters -, have been made available to affected people through UNICEF’s assistance. This will increase the storage capacity of collected rainwater by 7 and half million liters in schools, health centers and households. The installation of these water tanks is already completed in some schools.
In line with the World’s Millennium Development Goals for the water and sanitation sector, UNICEF’s approach for addressing water needs jointly with sanitation and hygiene components in a holistic manner will improve impact and benefits. Therefore efforts are being made to help people protect their health and make the best use of the water & sanitation facilities being provided. UNICEF is assisting the government in the development and implementation of a good hygiene promotion strategy and activities for behavioural change, targeting school children, their caregivers and communities. Hygiene messages focus on those behaviors that pose the greatest threats to the well-being of women and children, such as non-hand washing at critical times, that is after using the toilet and before cooking and eating.
The disposal of sewage is one of the most challenging problems facing the Maldives. Sewage disposal in areas of high water table levels, as in every island in the Maldives, is exceptionally difficult and UNICEF is working in partnership with the Government and other UN agencies to find sustainable solutions.
UNICEF’s approach in the Maldives emphasizes “school centered interventions”. This focuses UNICEF’s support in water & sanitation, health & nutrition, basic education and special protection to schools as a recognition of school children’s ability to help schools and communities change behaviour. Therefore, in addition to the substantial and well known contributions to the education sector, UNICEF will help provide each school with water and sanitation facilities, and assist in the adoption of safe hygiene practices among school children for good health and to improve their capacity for better learning.
World Water Day 2005 is a key milestone in the new International Decade on Water and reminds us of the enormous challenges ahead. We need clear commitments and joint efforts to ensure the wellbeing of women and children. The “Water for Life” theme, will spur UNICEF - Maldives to help achieve universal goals, working closely with the Government of Maldives, particularly the Ministries of Health and Education and the Maldives Water & Sanitation Authority, as well as other partners in development to improve the health and quality of life of women and children through the provision of safe water supplies, clean toilets and good hygiene habits of every Maldivian child and adult.
http://www.aafathisnews.com.mv/main.asp?inctype=english&StoryID=5339,001100030005.asp