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World Water Day is held each year on 22 March and provides an opportunity to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The official theme for World Water Day 2012 is Water and Food Security. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme recognizes the efforts of our partners and others in working to improve access to water and food security. 

Although there is still much work to be done, this year the world has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water. In the lead up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (‘Rio+20’) in June, UNV will engage in a campaign to show that voluntary action and a strong people-centred approach to peace and development are essential to achieve sustainable development.

Volunteerism plays a key role in improving access to water and food security, as it creates an enabling environment for building capacity through the participation of people in communication networks and decision-making processes.  On this World Water Day, meet some of the UN Volunteers providing their expertise and support.
Reconstruction of the water supply system of Gal City, Abkhazia Georgia. (2007)
Improving access and livelihoods by strengthening the infrastructure for water, health and electricity
22 March 2012
Georgia: “I worked in close collaboration with the owners, operators and staff of the water supply systems, epidemiological services, community-based organizations and relevant local and international organizations involved in the three districts to ensure sustainable operation and management of the water supply systems.” Read
Countries:  Georgia
UNV-led water project in Eastern Chad (Abbay Bogale/UNV, 2008)
Installing, maintaining and servicing water supply and sewerage equipment
22 March 2012
Birao, Central African Republic & Abeche, Chad: “Without a doubt my most memorable experience was as (Officer in Charge) during a period of some of the heaviest rains in Abeche. While many slept peacefully and enjoyed the sound of raindrops on their roofs, I was having nightmares thinking about how this was going to affect our operations the next day.” Read
Countries:  Chad
Other languages: en español  
International UN Volunteer Tom Tengco, with Mr. Patrick Handia (Chairman, VUKA Famers' Cooperatives), inspecting water impounding project almost half-filled with rain water for vegetable growing and drinking for animals. The structure was initiated by the AYVEP volunteers in the area. (Anock Kapira/UNV, 2011)
Building capacity to improve the use and supply of water
22 March 2012
Choma, Zambia: “Zambia’s abundant wetlands remind me of the Philippines,” said Tom. “I take every opportunity to share proven techniques we use in my homeland that can improve farms’ efficiency and increase food production.”

“For example, I suggested rice, a viable crop for Zambia’s wetlands, to the youth group. By digging the irrigation canals deep enough between the crop beds, they can farm fish alongside the rice. Earth excavated from the canals is used to raise the level of other crop beds above water to grow different high value crops.” Read
Countries:  Zambia
Other languages: en español  
Selling fresh vegetables produced by the group members in Oecussi. (2006)
Improving the livelihoods of vulnerable communities through water conservation technologies
22 March 2012
Timor-Leste: “As a volunteer working directly with the people in the community, I managed to share my knowledge, skills and experiences of several years and was able to make a substantial difference in the food security and livelihoods of poor and disadvantaged people through enhanced food production, improved nutrition and increased income.” Read
Countries:  Timor-Leste
Other languages: en français  en español  
Cecilia Jacomet Newman, UN Online Volunteer (2012)
Using branding to promote access to water and food security
22 March 2012
Kenya: “I learned so much about the serious issues faced by African farmers due to the lack of water access and the crucial work that KRA is doing in helping these farmers address these problems with rainwater harvesting systems.

[…] I know that however small and indirect my contribution was, it has been an experience that enriched my life in a very important way.” Read
Countries:  Kenya
Other languages: en français  
Beatriz García Gutiérrez, UN Online Volunteer (2012)
Designing manuals to help achieve food security
22 March 2012
Guatemala: “This project particularly interested me for two reasons.  First, it focused on eradicating one of the great problems of our world; hunger and malnutrition.  Second, as a project focused on a Latin American country, it increased my interest in being a part of it.” Read
Countries:  Guatemala
Other languages: en français  en español  
The UN Volunteers climbed the San Salvador volcano to pay tribute to the 66th anniversary of the United Nations, to their country and to volunteerism. When they reached the top, they used stones to write ‘UNV Brazil’ on the ground. (UNV)
Brazilian UN Volunteers engaging with communities in El Salvador
19 December 2011
San Vicente, El Salvador: "Together with the local government and the schools, we are involving the whole community and local non-governmental organizations in the production of knowledge products, school and community gardens, and climate change adaptation through volunteer actions." Read
More about: Emergency relief  Focus on food  Health  Youth
Countries:  Brazil  El Salvador
Raising children awareness of WASH issues through giant snake and ladder games/ ©SUrresta 2010
Raising awareness of water, sanitation and hygiene issues
20 November 2011
Dili, Timor-Leste: "In the villages, I meet and discuss with community members about their water, sanitation and hygiene situation and how we can find solutions together." Read
More about: Children  Health
Countries:  Timor-Leste
Women of the Pucará community in Chuquisaca, explaining the impact of the water system on their daily life and hygiene practices.
Contributing to small-scale rural water and sanitation projects
20 November 2011
La Paz, Bolivia: "For me it is a great experience to contribute to small-scale rural water and sanitation projects that have such an impact on daily life, especially for women and children." Read
More about: Children  Health
Countries:  Bolivia
This page can found at: http://www.unv.org/current-highlight/un-volunteers-improving-access-to-water-and-food-security.html