World Water Day 2023 – Accelerating Change

Aiming to underline the significance of water and expand awareness about the global water crisis, World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year. According to the United Nations website, the idea behind celebrating the day is to "support the achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030." The SDG-6 pledges to confirm convenience and justifiable management of water and sanitation for all.

This year, World Water Day is focused on “accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis” emphasizing the vital significance of taking decisive action to address the global water crisis. World Water Day underscores the challenges related to water scarcity, water pollution, insufficient water supply, and lack of sanitation facilities. By creating awareness about these issues, the day motivates individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to take the required actions to manage freshwater resources sustainably and address water-related challenges.

Formally the idea of World Water Day was a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly conference on Environmental and Development in Rio De Janeiro in 1992. It was then that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution stating that every year, March 22 will be marked as World Water Day starting in 1993.

ADRA Bangladesh is working closely with vulnerable communities to address the water crisis and ensure safe drinking water. In this regard, ADRA Bangladesh distributed Charcoal Filter among 24 families to reduce water-borne diseases by having iron-free drinking water and constructed 16 Tube-wells Platforms in the community through its Community Empowerment Project (CEP). Apart from this, ADRA Bangladesh distributed tube-well sand water tanks among the vulnerable communities as well.

Water is instantaneously our most plentiful and scarce resource. It covers 71% of the Earth’s surface and yet 2.2 billion people live without access to safe water. We cannot live without water, and we cannot sustainably progress without tackling the crises of water scarcity and insecurity. Without a comprehensive understanding of water’s true, multidimensional value, we will be unable to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone.