Experts this week are gathering at the Sixth World Water Forum in the French port
city of Marseille to try to come up with solutions to the world's water-related challenges.
It’s
estimated that more than 780 million people don't have access to clean water while
around 2 ½ billion don't have a toilet facilities.
At the Forum, the International
Committee of the Red Cross will lead discussions on the importance of ground-level
cooperation and communication in coming up with practical solutions, especially in
conflict-affected areas. "We're seeing some worrying 'cause and effect' trends
leading to increased vulnerability and violence," said the ICRC’s regional water and
habitat adviser for the Middle East, Michael Talhami. "The highly inequitable distribution
of resources, widespread environmental and natural resource sustainability issues,
a lack of cooperation between authorities, rapid population growth, and climate change
are all factors that contribute to greater competition for scarce resources, hindered
economic growth, a rise in forced migration and increased tensions." Listen
to full interview by Charles Collins with ICRC spokesperson Anna Nelson: