Dear Fellow Rotarians,
I hope this message finds you all well and in great health. During March, Rotary Water and Sanitation Month, we celebrate our commitment to creating healthier communities by supplying clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Last month, Winter Storm Uri presented many challenges to both clean water and proper sanitation for many residents throughout South Texas. This was only a glimpse into a much dire situation around the world.
Clean water is a basic human right that many are often denied. There are 2.5 billion people who lack access to improved sanitation and 748 million people who 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.
In 2015, the United Nations introduced their new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty and promote prosperity while protecting the environment and addressing climate change. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation encourages us to address universal access to drinking water and sanitation along with improved water management to protect ecosystems and build resiliency.
In 2017, an estimated 3 billion people worldwide lacked the ability to safely wash their hands at home – one of the cheapest, easiest, and most effective ways to prevent the spread of diseases like the coronavirus. Water, sanitation and hygiene services are also not always available at medical care facilities: in 2016, one in four facilities around the world lacked basic water supplies, one in five had no sanitation services, and two in five had no soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub, at points of care. And today, 4.2 billion people are still faced with daily challenges accessing even the most basic of services. Of these, 673 million people practiced open defecation.
Rotary members are committed to reaching the water and sanitation worldwide goals (2030) through projects like building wells, installing rainwater harvesting systems, and teaching community members how to maintain new infrastructure.
The Rotary Foundation is changing the world by providing grants for projects and activities around the globe and in your own backyard:
Rotary-USAID Partnership: Rotary has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development in Ghana, Madagascar, and Uganda to implement sustainable, long-term programs to improve water supplies, sanitation, and hygiene.
WASH in Schools Target Challenge: Rotary has challenged our members to develop sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects in five countries: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, India, and Kenya.
WASH projects: Since 2013, The Rotary Foundation has invested in more than 1,000 WASH projects in more than 100 countries. Through grants from The Rotary Foundation and fundraising by Rotary clubs, our volunteers have supported water purification, hygiene education, latrine construction, and waste management.
As "People of Action", let's continue our work in providing access to clean water and sanitation both locally and globally. Let's ensure that we play a major part in the worldwide goal of clean water for everyone by the year 2030. You can play a major part by making a minimum contribution of at least $25 to The Rotary Foundation today.
Hang in there Rotarians, the world needs you.
Rotary-USAID Partnership: Rotary has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development in Ghana, Madagascar, and Uganda to implement sustainable, long-term programs to improve water supplies, sanitation, and hygiene.
WASH in Schools Target Challenge: Rotary has challenged our members to develop sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects in five countries: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, India, and Kenya.
WASH projects: Since 2013, The Rotary Foundation has invested in more than 1,000 WASH projects in more than 100 countries. Through grants from The Rotary Foundation and fundraising by Rotary clubs, our volunteers have supported water purification, hygiene education, latrine construction, and waste management.
As "People of Action", let's continue our work in providing access to clean water and sanitation both locally and globally. Let's ensure that we play a major part in the worldwide goal of clean water for everyone by the year 2030. You can play a major part by making a minimum contribution of at least $25 to The Rotary Foundation today.
Hang in there Rotarians, the world needs you.