Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater, this year UN-Water is dedicating World Water Day in 2011 to the theme of ‘Water and Urbanisation’, reflecting the importance of water in ever-growing urban populations around the world. Events around the world will spotlight the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.

Type: Event
When: 22 March 2011
Where: Global

World Water Day 2011 : Responding to Urban Challenges
The World Water Day in 2011 is intended to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and climate change on water resources and environmental protection capabilities of cities and small towns.

Main Challenges
Half of humanity now lives in cities and every second the urban population grows by 2 people. In Africa and Asia, the urban population will double between 2000 and 2030.
141 million urban dwellers do not have access to safe drinking- water.
One out of four city residents, 794 million in total, lives without access to improved sanitation facilities.
The situation in these urban areas leads to water related diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria and cholera epidemics.
Progress in access to water and sanitation in the last decades is undermined by the rapid urban population growth.

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