The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has raised concern over difficulties to access clean water hence recommending the government to declare the water situation a disaster as the world commemorates World Water Day.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said residents who are enduring as many as five days a week without running water are being forced to resort to unprotected sources to get the priceless commodity.
“The resultant effect is citizens having to resort to the use of unsafe water sources such as shallow unprotected wells and boreholes, a situation that does not auger well in the midst of a pandemic,” the organization said.
“The Forum also takes the opportunity to note that whilst the right to safe, clean and potable water is constitutionally enshrined in terms of section 77 of the Constitution, the availability of the same remains scarce, with numerous areas having gone for years without the provision of water by local government authorities,” the organization added.
The Forum highlighted the value of water in the fight against COVID-19 saying national and international protocols require regular hand-washing under running water.
“The World Health Organisation and the Zimbabwe National COVID-19 Protocols require constant hygienic efforts, particularly the regular washing of hands under running water. This is unattainable in Zimbabwe due to an overall erratic water supply,” the forum added.
The United Nations World Water Day is commemorated every year on 22 March. It is a day dedicated to reflection on the importance of water as a basic need that is pivotal for the survival of humankind.
The theme for 2021, “valuing water”, comes at a time when the world is battling the COVID-19 global pandemic and access to clean water is critical.
