By: Cassandra Clifford

Note: This post reflects the views of the author, not those of the Foreign Policy Association. The author is an independent contributor.

In a statement issued by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon's message on World Water Day targeted a lack of political will as the main reason for failure to achieve basic sanitation. However with today is marked to bring awareness to the plight of some 2.6 billion people world wide who are without proper sanitation facilities and clean drinking water.

What can proper sanitation and hygiene do:

Lower morbidity rates in the population.

Lower mortality rates due to diarrhea.

Better nutrition among children.

Cleaner environment.

Safer food and increased impact of improved water supplies.

Better learning and retention among school children.

Dignity and privacy, especially women and girls.

UNICEF and UNDP will hold a ground braking event, 'stand up for those who cant sit down’, today in NYC's Central Park;

Please see the official World Water Day site, and yesterdays post for more information, resources and ways you can help those in need of clean water and sanitation.

World Water Day, 20 March 2008

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