Water is a prerequisite for all life, but the unjust distribution of water threatens the life and health of millions of people. Children are the most vulnerable of all. Their ability to survive is drastically reduced without clean water. 2.6 billion people live in unsatisfactory health conditions. Norwegian Church Aid is in no doubt: Water must be distributed justly. All people have a right to water and health.
Our global programmes
Norwegian Church Aid works with local partners in many countries to secure people’s right to clean water and good health. We have three global programmes within this field:
Our advocacy work
Norwegian Church Aid digs wells and works to give people access to clean water where they live. But how much can wells help if factories pollute groundwater? And how much does it help to harvest rainwater when climate change causes drought? Norwegian Church Aid works, therefore, toward holding those in power responsible, both locally and globally, and advocates for them to take decisions that will secure people’s right to water and health.
- Through ‘Ecumenical Water Network’ we work actively at a global level, promoting the right to water and health through, among others, the United Nations system.
- We mobilise the Norwegian Church to join in the struggle for health and clean water.
- Through the lobby network ‘Forum for Environment and Development’ (ForUM) we seek to influence those in power to secure the ight to water and health.
- We require Norwegian authorities to ensure that the Government Pension Fund - Global (Petroleum Fund) does not invest in companies that pollute sources of water.
- Together with local partner organisations, we have started local advocacy work that tracks public funds earmarked for water and sanitation to ensure that these funds actually benefit the people they are intended for.
- We are engaged in political advocacy aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, so that poor people can live in satisfactory climate conditions.
Water crisis
Today, 70% of the world’s water resources are used for irrigation. At the same time, the world is experiencing a water crisis. Global population has tripled over the last hundred years and, during this same time span, water use has increased six fold. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population will not have enough water.
Water as a human right
As of today, the right to water is not guaranteed by any international legislation. Granted, there are UN resolutions in place that claim water as a human right, but there are no binding resolutions. We need binding conventions declaring that water is a human right.
Many causes
There are many causes contributing to the water shortage. Heavy industrialisation, irresponsible and unsustainable agricultural production, deforestation, the depletion of natural resources, pollution, population growth and overuse are among these causes.
Another important reason is that water is being privatised many places. In these cases, market laws apply. Today, water is more expensive than oil. It is most expensive of all for poor people, who pay five to ten times as much for water as the rich.