Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, today introduced a concurrent resolution supporting the United Nations’ declaration of 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation. 

Over 1 billion people currently live without potable water and an estimated 2.6 billion people do not have access to basic sanitation facilities, which includes 980 million children.  Poor sanitation could lead to such maladies as cholera, intestinal worms, diarrhea, pneumonia, dysentery and skin infections.  In 2000, the United States, along with other countries, committed to eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which provide a framework for countries and international organizations to combat such global ills as poverty, hunger and disease.   Halving the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015 is a key element of the seventh Millennium Development Goal.  The United States Congress, in 2005, enacted the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act which codified its support of this goal.

Representative Payne affirmed, “Sanitation is the foundation of health, dignity and progress.  Economic and social development are its offshoot.  It affects everything from a girl’s ability to go to school to work productivity.  Every dollar invested in sanitation translates to an average of $7.00 in economic benefit in developing countries.”

The United Nations launched the International Year of Sanitation on November 21, 2007.  By declaring 2008 as its banner year for sanitation, the UN recognizes the progress made towards the MDG and calls on its agencies, member states and other relevant stakeholders to reaffirm its commitment to reaching the target.  It will also use this year to raise awareness on the positive rippling effect of proper sanitation and mobilize communities towards changing sanitation practices through education campaigns.

“Access to clean, potable water and basic sanitation is integral to reaching other development targets,” Payne stated.  “If relevant stakeholders invest adequate financial and technological resources, improved sanitation is attainable.  With this resolution, I hope the United States will renew its commitment to this Millennium Development Goal target and the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act.”