A new well in Thailand supplies a village with access to clean drinking water.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – For many in the U.S. and worldwide, access to clean water is as easy as turning on the tap. But for those living in poverty-stricken regions such as India and Africa, uncontaminated water is a rare commodity.

The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues, affecting nearly 1.1 billion people – or about 20 percent of the world's population, according to UN World Water Development Report.

In fact, 1.8 million people die every year from diarrheal diseases, including cholera, and 90 percent are children under the age of five, according to the World Health Organization.

March 22 is World Water Day and the goal is to draw international attention to the critical lack of clean, safe drinking water worldwide. In 2007, 69 cities across the United States passed resolutions acknowledging March 22 as World Water Day.

This contamination problem isn't confined to a particular region of the world. A third of the Earth's population lives in “water-stressed” countries. The crisis is worst in developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

In addition, natural disasters such as floods and storms can cause widespread pollution to clean water sources.

"It has been our experience, having worked in 105 countries around the world, that floods devastate the drinking water supply very quickly and accelerate the spread of diseases like cholera, malaria and dengue fever," said OBI President Bill Horan. "That is why, when disaster strikes, immediately providing water purification systems to the impacted area is OBI's top priority."

For example, recent floods in Ecuador have spoiled clean water sources leaving residents with contaminated wells and other water sources.

"There were about 1,700 cases related to contaminated water," said Dr. Elida, director of a hospital in Baba, Ecuador.

March 22 is World Water Day and the goal is to draw international attention to the critical lack of clean, safe drinking water worldwide.

"Lives will be saved and the people will have the strength to earn more for their families," said Dr. Elida, after taking the first drink of water purified by a new system put in place thanks to OBI, Water Missions International and DHL. "The hospital will also have good water for the patients."

Others living in India, Africa and China, face water deficits on a daily basis.

Bhalkar Anjana Bai, 70, was one such person. Due to a severe curvature of the spine she was unable to work, much less find clean water. She lived in a small village surrounded by dense trees in Pusad district, Maharashtra state of India.

Due to the remote location, there are no roads, schools, electricity, medical facilities or public transportation. In terms of available water sources, Bai and the other villagers were forced to hike down a 200-foot steep embankment, fill their water pots and make the strenuous climb back to the top.

"I'm all alone and have to struggle for every small thing," Bai said.
OBI drilled a water well to give the people of the village access to clean drinking water. Now Bai only has to walk a few feet to get the water she needs.

Since 1990, OBI has provided clean water to nearly 3 million people by drilling almost 12,000 wells and cisterns in remote villages throughout Africa and Eastern Europe.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Help break the cycle of suffering by giving toward Operation Blessing's water wells and cisterns program. A gift of $1,800 can drill a well for villages and supply families with clean drinking water.

 

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