A day for Water

(Vatican Radio) Every year on March 22^nd World Water Day is observed. The day is held annually to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme for this year is water cooperation.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is cooperating with communities to bring water to towns and cities hit by crisis, especially in countries such as Syria and Mali.

Lydia O’Kane spoke to the Deputy Head of the ICRC’s Water and Habitation Unit, Evaristo Oliviera about their work.

“We work in war zones, war creates a lot of casualties. Unfortunately, today in those countries, much more harm is done to people because public health is not ensured and public health depending on to you get clean water, for instance.”

In Syria alone the Red Cross is helping to provide clean water for 10 million people and is providing emergency assistance to restore water and power in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The ICRC Water and Habitat Unit is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and will be producing a series of short films, throughout 2013, showing how the organisation gets water to people affected by conflict and violence.

Listen to Lydia O'Kane's interview with Evaristo Oliviera