More than 3.6 billion people globally can’t access water

As the country struggles to fight the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, over 3.6 billion people live in potentially water scarce areas at least one month per year and cannot wash their hands at home. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Secretary General Qu Dongyu said the crisis might hit 5.7 billion people by 2050 in a message during the World Water Day yesterday.

 “This most precious resource is now under increased pressure due to global growth. And climate extremes,” he said.

 According to FAO, two in five people worldwide do not have a basic hand washing facility with soap and water at home where at least two billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress.

 The report also shows one out of four healthcare facilities worldwide lack basic drinking water services.

 Water shortage puts the fight against Coronavirus at crossroad in over 188 countries and territories around the world.

 In Kenya, seven cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed with the Ministry of Health continue to monitor and test more people.

 The National Emergency Response Committee on Covid-19 recommends hand washing with soap as the first line of defense.

 This has put most of the Kenyans in informal settlements at greater risk.

 According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report 2019, 19 million Kenyans do not access at least basic drinking water sources and indication that they were using unsafe water for consumption.

 John Omondi, a water vendor in Kibra, express concern that hand washing in the slums was a luxury many cannot afford.

 He said access to clean water was a mirage and the national and county governments must take drastic action to see all Kenyans get it.