Around the world, millions of people lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities. The consequences of this crisis are dire, leading to preventable deaths, poor health outcomes, and hindering socio-economic progress.
The Stand Up for Water campaign is calling on the next European Parliament to urgently address the water crisis.
We must acknowledge that water security is fundamental to an inclusive and climate-resilient future, critical to tackling the global challenges of health threats, and integral to food and energy security.
This is coming at a time where water stress has never been more salient in Europe and beyond, with the need to deliver climate-resilient water access becoming more pressing for the most under served.
Will you stand up for water?
As candidates for the European Parliament elections, we ask you read our manifesto for water and support:
- Making water resilience a political priority on the EU agenda
- Supporting investments in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector
- Highlighting the link between water access and other sustainable development goals
Sign the pledge
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal 6, to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, is one of the most interconnected goals, with access to water, sanitation and hygiene aiding economic development, poverty reduction, education, health, healthy environment and more.
Over the past 20 years, we have seen that real progress is possible when WASH is prioritised in national development.
In India, basic sanitation coverage rose from 15% in 2000, to 71% in 2020
In Nigeria, basic water drinking coverage rose from 43% in 2000, to 73% in 2020
Yet, just a few years away from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and progress is still unacceptably slow and uneven, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable populations in the least developed countries (LDCs).
For example, at current rates of progress, only 37% of people in sub-Saharan Africa will have safely managed water by 2030.
Across the world’s 46 LDCs, almost half of healthcare facilities lack basic water services.
If progress is not accelerated, countries risk losing whatever gains they have made to frequent disease outbreaks, reduced water security, and the impacts of climate change.