Water in the world
2 billion people are living with the risk of reduced access to freshwater resources, and at least one out of four people is likely to be affected by recurring or chronic shortages of fresh water in 2050. 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services. Millions of people, including children, die every year from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of the global population and is projected to rise. On the other hand floods and other water-related disasters are a continuous threat. More than 80 percent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or sea without any pollution removal and approximately 70 percent of all water abstracted from rivers, lakes and aquifers is used for irrigation. More information, facts and figures about SDG6. In short: too much, too little, too polluted water are the challenges we face.
In recent years, the number of internationally oriented professionals in the field of water decreased significantly. To continue our contribution to tackle the challenges and to enhance our reputation as an international frontrunner in the field of water, we must keep investing in the water sector. Therefore, the Young Expert Programme Water (YEP Water) was launched in 2013 with its purpose to rejuvenate and strengthen the professionalism and expertise in the Dutch water sector in developing countries, as well as within companies, knowledge institutions and civil society organisations in the Netherlands. The thematic focus YEP Water started with are still relevant today:
- Efficient water management, especially the agricultural sector
- Improved river basin management and safe estuaries and delta’s
- Access to safe drinking water and sanitation (WASH)
The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), the public-private network organisation that acts as an independent coordination and information point for the Dutch water sector, is the logical executive network organisation of YEP with its aim to share, connect and involve. Only together (SDG17) we can go further in reaching SDG 6.
