During March, Rotary Water and Sanitation Month, we’re celebrating our commitment to create healthier communities by supplying clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Here are just a few examples of club service projects that are creating a lasting impact:
Clean water is a basic human right that many are often denied. There are 2.5 billion people in the world that lack access to improved sanitation and 748 million people that don’t have clean drinking water. Nearly 1400 children die each day from diseases caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water. When people have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. Through Rotary programs, we make schools healthier, bring water for a communities, provide access to toilets and more.
Rotary’s approach aligns with Goal 6 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure the availability of and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. We support this by: • Improving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water • Improving water quality by protecting and maintaining surface water and groundwater resources, and promoting the reuse of wastewater • Improving universal and equitable access to safely managed sanitation and waste management services • Improving community hygiene knowledge, behaviors, and practices • Strengthening the capacity of governments, institutions, and communities to develop, finance, manage, and maintain sustainable water and sanitation services • Funding graduate scholarships for career-minded professionals related to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
WASH Rotary Action Group supports and ensures sustainable long-lasting clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to communities in need.The WASH Rotary Action Group was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians, recognized by Rotary International, and focused on WASH projects. Since then it has facilitated many hundreds of projects – helping clubs find partners, ensuring sustainability, stressing the importance of a needs-driven approach, and developing best practices. We encourage a holistic, integrated approach in which water is not the end in itself, but is rather the means to a better life and livelihood in the community. Most importantly, WASH Rotary Action Group links water and sanitation to improved hygiene, better health, and empowerment of the community – especially women, irrigation and agriculture, education and literacy and, ultimately, child mortality. For more info and to join the WASH Action Group, CLICK HERE
