A woman picks up water in a camp for people moving as a result of a conflict in Yemen. More than 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water Human rights Access to safe drinking water and sanitation remains an urgent problem for billions of people around the world. At the same time, this is not just about inconvenience – this is a matter of life and death. This, speaking at a meeting of the Human Rights Council, was reminded by the Deputy Supreme Commissar of the UN Human Rights Nada al-Nashif. “There is nothing more fundamental than water,” she said. “Nevertheless, more than 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, and 3.4 billion – to adequate sanitary conditions.” ~ 60 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62Every year, according to her, about 1.4 million people die from infectious diseases caused by contaminated water and the lack of sanitation, such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid. Moreover, the mortality rate in some countries with low income is almost 500 times higher than the similar indicator in developed countries. ~ 60 > read Also: interview | Most of the consequences of climate change are associated with water 60 ~ p > Supreme Commissioner also emphasized that in conflicts – from Ukraine to Gaza and Sudan, water supply objects are purposefully destroyed, and access to pure water is blocked. The climate change has no less destructive effect: the droughts become longer, and the hurricanes that destroy water infrastructure objects are more powerful. Developing countries in the debt crisis are often not able to invest in water supply, and in developed countries the water accounts become an excessive burden for many families. 60 ~ h2 > vulnerability and vulnerability and vulnerability and vulnerability Inequality These challenges, according to the UN representative, are especially difficult to affect vulnerable groups. People with disabilities often do not have access to adapted toilets. Women and girls are subject to violence and health risks, forced to overcome long distances in search of water or secluded place. The lack of sanitary conditions in schools forces girls to miss classes during menstruation, threatening their education. The indigenous peoples and residents of the city slums most often use contaminated sources of water and are especially vulnerable in the face of climatic disasters. 62 > 62 ~Al-Nashif noted that human rights should become the basis for finding solutions. This approach requires the responsibility of states – they are obliged to invest in equal access to a sufficient, safe, physically affordable and acceptable water supply of proper quality. In addition, the participation of affected communities is necessary. At the same time, it is important to protect from the attacks of human rights activists who promote these issues. Cooperation of all parties is also required – governments, business, civil society, and international organizations. The business, in particular, should follow the leading principles of the UN in the field of entrepreneurial activity and human rights. ~ 60 > important direction of international interaction, the Deputy Supreme Commissioner called the reform of financial architecture, including measures to reduce debt load and support of countries in investments in water Infrastructure. human rights management work ~ 60 > she also gave examples of the UN Human Rights Management: in Guatemala, seminars for women from the indigenous peoples were organized by their rights and participation in their participation in discussion of the new law on water. In Guinea, the rights to water and sanitation were integrated into local development plans. ~ 60 > “Water is a public good, not goods,” Al-Nashif said. According to her, without water, human rights to life, health, food, labor and a favorable environment are under threat. The Deputy Supreme Commissioner called for the use of the upcoming UN conference on water issues as an opportunity for consolidating political will and setting human rights to the water management center