On February 25th, the Water Working Group, of which AFJN is a part, delivered a letter to Congress, asking members to support the Water for the World Resolution. The text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Member of Congress,
At
least 1.4 billion people struggle daily without access to adequate
water supplies, while 2.5 billion people are without improved
sanitation. Water is a vital resource and its lack results in untold
human misery and conflict.
We
therefore urge you to support the Water for the World Resolution
introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky on December 6, 2007. The U.S.
Congress demonstrated its concern by passing the Water for the Poor Act
with overwhelming bi-partisan support in 2005. The Water for the World
Resolution serves as an urgent reminder that funding is needed for the
U.S. to make a positive difference in some of the poorest regions of
the world.
More
than five million people, mostly children, die each year from
water-related diseases. Increasing pollution and a rate of global water
consumption that doubles every twenty years will mean forty-eight
nations will face severe water shortages by 2025, according to the
World Health Organization. Climate change is expected to decrease
available water supplies, especially for heavily populated countries in
South Asia and Africa that are dependent upon rainfall or snow melt for
water.
The
Water for the World Resolution acknowledges the international consensus
to recognize the right to water. Access to water can mean the
difference between life or death, health or sickness, and economic
development or cyclical poverty.
We urge you to support the essential need for water by lending your support to the Water for the World Resolution.
Sincerely,
Africa Faith and Justice Network
Agricultural Missions, Inc.
Center for International Policy
Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office (USA)
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)
Church World Service
Dominican Sisters of Hope, New York
Food & Water Watch
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Medical Mission Sisters, Alliance for Justice
Mercy Investment Program, U.S.
Missionary Oblates Justice, Peace/Integrity of Creation Office
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
PLANT (Partners for the Land and Agricultural Needs of Traditional Peoples)
Presbyterian Church, (USA), Washington Office
The Religious Coalition for the Great Lakes
SHARE Foundation: Building a New El Salvador Today
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Justice and Peace Office
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Institute Justice Team
Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of Detroit, Michigan
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament--Social Justice Office
Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk-U.S. Province, New York
Posted February 28th, 2008
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