World Water Day: Plan celebrates across the globe

Plan marks World Water Day on 22 March with celebrations across the globe.

This year the theme of World Water Day is coping with water scarcity, which could be a means to end suffering for hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Water scarcity is the source of child poverty that affects the ability to grow food, have access to clean drinking water and sanitation services, operate industries and support expanding cities.

Plan believes that local children and adults should be actively involved in the process of identifying water and sanitation problems, designing solutions and managing systems in their own communities.

Last year Plan spent US $31 million on community water systems, school and domestic latrine projects, and water management training in the countries where we work.

Scaling up!

Plan’s global water and sanitation network leader, Amsalu Negussie said:

"Taking successful projects and scaling them up to reach 100% coverage in safe water supply and sanitation is one of the corner stones of Plan’s child centred community development approach.

"Plan is committed to working in partnership and collaboration with all stakeholders at all levels to end water poverty and to create a safe environment for children around the globe."

Plan events

Thousands of children and families are taking part in Plan-sponsored events on and around World Water Day, including:

China: Local television broadcasts, entertainment events and organised child visits to waters sources are raising awareness of water laws and water conservation.

Indonesia: School students are taking part in drawing and posters competitions – the winners will be announced at Plan’s World Water Day Exhibition in Aceh on 24-28 March.

Sri Lanka: Opening ceremonies are taking place for two Plan financed community managed water systems. Awareness raising activities are also planned in schools.

Tanzania: Nine Plan-supported boreholes in Geita district, and one borehole in Kisarawe district, are officially being handed over to communities. In Ifakara, the Plan-supported rehabilitation of Lipangala water scheme is also officially being opened – benefiting more than 21,400 people.

Uganda: Plan is leading a national day of celebrations in our Kawempe program area in Kampala. Song and school essay competitions on sanitation have also been launched.

Zambia: A Plan supported ZNBC television program will be launching World Water Day to the nation.

Read Plan’s position on water and sanitation >>

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