Through a full-page advertisement in the New York Times, Washington, DC-based non-profit organisation, Water Advocates, is calling for increased U.S. support for worldwide safe drinking water and sanitation. The group is urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Water for the Poor Act [1] and approve US$ 300 million (EUR 217 million) in funding for 2008. It also calls on increased U.S. private sector action for water and sanitation.

The Church World Service (CWS) has joined the lobby in support of the Water for the Poor Act. In a statement prepared by the Religious Working Group on Water, CWS also calls on the U.S. to oppose corporate draining of scarce water supplies for mineral extraction and to fully support the human right to water for all people.

On its web site, Water Advocates provides a list of U.S.-based non-profit organisations involved in drinking water and sanitation aid projects. The site also gives guidelines for sponsors, both corporate and non-profit, who would like to support global action.

In 2006, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated US$ 203 million (EUR 147 million) for drinking water supply projects and related activities, of which US$ 81 million (EUR 59 million) for Africa [2].

[1] USA: President Bush signs Water for the Poor Act into law, Source Weekly , 19 Dec 2005

[2] USAID (2007). Investments in drinking water supply projects and related water resources activities : report to Congress, fiscal year 2006. PDF file [711 KB]

Web sites: Water Advocates ; Church World Service – Water Management

Contact: John Sauer, Water Advocates, USA, jsauer@wateradvocates.org

Source: Water Advocates, 23 Jul 2007 ; Worldwide Faith News, 15 Aug 2007

Tags: policies & legislation