AHRC Recognizes World Water Day:

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) joins all peace and justice advocates in observing World Water Day which falls annually on March 22.

World Water Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. It was established to recognize the importance of water for people across the globe. The theme for this year’s Water Day is Water for Peace.

There is no life without water. Access to water is neither a luxury nor a privilege. Water affordability and availability continue to be a real challenge to millions around the world. Even rich countries like the US have access to water issues. This should not be the reality in a rich country. The measure of civilization is taking care of the people, not the material assets of the super-rich.

This World Water Day falls amidst worsening climate change and natural disasters. In addition, the ongoing wars and conflicts make access to water more difficult.

Gaza is an extreme example of a dire water situation. Israel has not only weaponized food and other provisions against the Gazans, it has weaponized water as well. There is immense suffering in Gaza because of the Israeli-engineered lack of water. It is deliberate, a real crime- the result of premeditation and deliberation.

A UNICEF press release on the water situation in Gaza summarized the dire situation with this headline: “‘Barely a drop to drink’: children in the Gaza Strip do not access 90 per cent of their normal water use. Water and sanitation services are at the point of collapse with large-scale disease outbreaks looming, UNICEF warns.” Gazans are receiving a fraction of the minimum amount of water needed for survival. This is genocide and it is unacceptable.

“No person on earth should be denied access to clean water,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “The world has the resources to take care of the water needs of every person on earth,” added Hamad. "What is needed is the political will," concluded Hamad.