World Water Day 22 March
World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year to educate the importance of water to the whole world. The day also highlights the necessary improvement for access to water, hygiene facilities, and sanitation in all the countries.
Water which is the basic building block of life and is essential for human survival is under threat due to climate change, industrialization, pollution, wastage and mismanagement. Every year March 22 is celebrated as World Water Day to raise awareness about this vital resource which is being depleted at a very high rate.
World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year to educate the importance of water to the whole world. The day also highlights the necessary improvement for access to water, hygiene facilities, and sanitation in all the countries.
Today, water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change.
As societies balance the demands on water resources, many people’s interests are not being taken into account.
This year´s theme World Water Day is about what water means to people, it's true value and how we can better protect this vital resource. The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.
Support catalysing conversations about water, by using these social media assets and engaging in digital discussions through #Water2me and #WorldWaterDay.
Water and Soap Against the Coronavirus
Hand hygiene is essential to containing the spread of COVID-19, as well as other infectious diseases. If you have access to soap and water, follow the steps and join the #SafeHands campaign. For your community and for you.
On this World Water Day, and any other day, remember to wash your hands regularly with water and soap or with an alcohol-based hand gel. See UNICEF's guidelines on handwashing and UN Water's fast facts on handwashing/ handhygiene.
This #WorldWaterDay, let’s show our best hand hygiene moments to fight #COVID19.
#SafeHands on #WorldWaterDay
History of the Day
The idea for this international day goes back to 1992, the year in which the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro took place. That same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993.
Later on, other celebrations and events were added. For instance, the International Year of Cooperation in the Water Sphere 2013, and the current International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028. These observances serve to reaffirm that water and sanitation measures are key to poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Did you know?
• Today, 1 in 3 people live without safe drinking water.
• By 2050, up to 5.7 billion people could be living in areas where water is scarce for at least one month a year.
• Climate-resilient water supply and sanitation could save the lives of more than 360,000 infants every year.
• If we limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, we could cut climate-induced water stress by up to 50%.
• Extreme weather has caused more than 90% of major disasters over the last decade.
• By 2040, global energy demand is projected to increase by over 25% and water demand is expected to increase by more than 50%.
