By Ndatenda Njanike
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for immediate action on reducing the risk of disasters through better management of water resources and ensuring that all people can access clean, secure, and resilient water and sanitation systems before, during, and after a disaster strikes.
Water is the lifeblood of the earth, every aspect of human survival and well-being.
However, water is also a common cause of disasters in the world with Nearly 75 percent of all-natural disasters directly linked to it.
During a Thematic Session on Water, Disasters, Calling for Limited Global Warming, Early Warning Systems UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the was a need for action now.
“We need action. And we need it now. First — by investing in preparedness measures and resilient buildings, neighborhoods, and infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters.
“Second — by reducing the risk of disasters through better management of water resources and ensuring that all people can access clean, secure, and resilient water and sanitation systems before, during, and after a disaster strikes.
“Third — by limiting global warming to 1.5°C and dramatically speeding up the shift to renewables, with massive support for developing countries.
“And finally — by ensuring that every person on earth is protected by early warning systems against natural disasters by 2027. Early warning systems save lives and livelihoods on a massive scale. They are a critical investment in a safer, fairer world for all. “He added.
World Water Day 2023 is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.
This year’s World Water Day 2023 runs under the theme of Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis
