Every year, on March 22nd, the whole world celebrates World Water Day. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the crucial importance of water and sanitation, and to promote concrete actions to address the global water crisis. In 2024, the theme of World Water Day is “Water in the Service of Peace,” highlighting the vital role of water in promoting peace and prosperity.
It is essential to recognize that water is a fundamental right for all human beings. Unfortunately, in many regions of the world, access to clean water remains a major challenge. The Sahel region in Africa is one of these regions where water scarcity is particularly alarming. People in areas like Sakoula, north of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, struggle daily to access a sufficient amount of clean water. More than 50% of the population has to travel at least one kilometer to fetch water, while nearly 75% have less than 20 liters of water per day, well below the World Health Organization’s recommendations.
Faced with this alarming reality, initiatives like the “WASH Sakoula” project have been launched to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities in the region. This ambitious project aims to construct and rehabilitate wells, install family and public latrines, and raise awareness among the population about basic hygiene practices. Thanks to these efforts, more than 60,000 people will benefit from a significant improvement in their living conditions.
The water crisis is not just a local problem; it also has global implications. Transboundary water resources have become a major issue, affecting political stability and peace between nations. Over 3 billion people depend on these shared resources, but only a small number of countries have entered into cooperation agreements for their management.
Water is unfortunately often a source of conflict. However, when managed equitably and sustainably, it can promote cooperation and stability between nations.
On this World Water Day, let us commit to using water as an instrument of peace. Whether by taking measures to preserve water resources, supporting projects for access to clean water in disadvantaged regions, or advocating for sustainable water management policies and practices, everyone can contribute to building a future where water is synonymous with peace and prosperity for all.
