2.2 billion people lack clean drinking water globally — UN

The United Nations (UN) has warned that increasing water scarcity can fuel conflicts around the world.

Globally, 2.2 billion people were without access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.5 billion lacked access to safely managed sanitation.

This is according to the report by the UN Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO released for World Water Day.

One in two people around the world suffered from water scarcity for several months of the year, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said.

“And in some parts of the world, this water scarcity has become the rule, rather than the exception.

“We know the consequences of such a situation: water shortages not only fan the flames of geopolitical tensions but also pose a threat to fundamental rights as a whole.

“For example by considerably undermining the position of girls and women,” she said.

Azoulay said access to water and the preservation of water resources were core challenges for societies.

Achieving universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in 140 low and middle-income countries would cost approximately 1.7 trillion dollars from 2016 to 2030 or 114 billion dollars per year, the report estimated.

The report is published annually to mark World Water Day, which this year focuses on the theme of “Water for Prosperity and Peace.’’

“The theme of World Water Day 2024 is therefore a call to action to sustainably manage water, to reconnect with our planet and, ultimately, to build peace,’’ Azoulay said.