CNN: NFL player: What I saw in Honduras gives me hope for the global clean water crisis
Kelvin Beachum Jr., offensive lineman with the New York Jets and celebrity ambassador for World Vision

“…Access to clean water should be a basic human right. … Due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, millions of people, most of them children, die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. Water scarcity, poor water quality, and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices, and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. The need for clean water access is urgent…” (3/22).

The Hill: Water has experienced a decade of bipartisan success
John Oldfield, principal at Global Water 2020

“…As we [approached] World Water Day, [which took place on March 22,] I am reminded of how much we have accomplished in just over a decade. … Going forward, Congress will have opportunities to steward additional, targeted funding to help increase access to sustainable safe drinking water and sanitation across the developing world; get ahead of water-accelerated conflicts; and prevent the next famines and water-related infectious diseases. Congress would be smart to encourage the administration to implement the new Global Water Strategy as not just a whole-of-government exercise, but a whole-of-America exercise, increasing the important roles of civic groups like Rotary International, U.S. universities, faith-based organizations, and the many nonprofits in the health and development sectors. … [T]he U.S. government and private sector have an opportunity to build on over a dozen years of bipartisan progress and significantly accelerate progress on one of the most fundamental needs we face: Global water security” (3/20).

Fox News: World Water Day: We can solve the global water crisis — Here’s how
Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S.

“…The global water crisis is beatable. And it’s actually the perfect time to invest in solutions to water scarcity. … And I can tell you where you’ll find your best bet: Rwanda … Rwanda is likely to be the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve one of the biggest, most audacious goals for a developing country: universal access to clean water. … I’m convinced that Rwanda is where we will see history happen. We will witness victory over the scourge of water scarcity in the nation — not just in my lifetime, but in the next few years. That’s why I’m making it personal. In my last year as World Vision president I’m committed to raising $30 million to finish the job — to provide water to everyone throughout World Vision’s project areas. It’s a goal that aligns perfectly with Rwanda’s national strategy…” (3/22).

Thomson Reuters Foundation: The next great water crisis may be under our feet
Karen G. Villholth, principal researcher with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) and coordinator of the Global Groundwater Initiative GRIPP

“…Key to avoiding the worst of a crisis is sound water governance, particularly as it relates to groundwater. If, with little foresight, we deplete or destroy our groundwater resources due to governance structures that do not explicitly aim to sustain it, societies may be undermined. … Politicians, governments, businesses, farmers, and the public need to engage in this now. Groundwater cannot be governed solely by a top-down approach. We need our leaders — and society at large — to take seriously the governance of our degrading, but crucial ‘last frontier’ natural water resource. If we fail to consider this urgently, the world can expect a future of serious groundwater-fed crises” (3/21).

Inter Press Service: Why You Should Care About the Water Crisis
Tim Wainwright, chief executive of WaterAid U.K.

“…[P]olitical will and financing are critical in addressing the water crisis. … This summer, world leaders will convene at the U.N. to review the progress made on [Sustainable Development] Global Goal 6; to deliver water and decent toilets to everyone, everywhere by 2030. In this, however, the world is dramatically far behind. At the current pace, global access to clean water will happen only by 2066 and global access to decent toilets not until the next century. … If we don’t achieve the water goal, other global goals for progress in education, nutrition, health, equality, and stability will most certainly fail too. Ending extreme poverty is impossible without universal access to clean water and decent toilets…” (3/21).