According to the findings, 28 countries—mostly in Africa—still have more than one in four people without access to even basic drinking water….reports Asian Lite News
Africa remains at the centre of the global water crisis, with a new United Nations report revealing that over two billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water.
The study, released Tuesday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, cautions that while some progress has been made, the world is “far off track” to achieve universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services by 2030.
According to the findings, 28 countries—mostly in Africa—still have more than one in four people without access to even basic drinking water. Millions remain dependent on unsafe sources such as rivers, ponds, and canals, leaving them at constant risk of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.
“Water, sanitation and hygiene are not privileges: they are basic human rights,” stressed Ruediger Krech, WHO’s Director of Health Promotion and Environment. “We must accelerate action, especially for the most marginalised communities.”
The agencies called for stronger investment, better infrastructure, and urgent political will to close the gap. Without a significant course correction, they warned, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on clean water and sanitation will remain out of reach.