The National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Commission of Liberia has joined other partners and the rest of the world to celebrate World Water Day 2025, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of water and advocating for its sustainable management.
This year’s global theme, “Glacier Preservation”, highlights the urgent need to protect the world’s glaciers, which play a crucial role in maintaining freshwater supplies and regulating the global climate. Its national theme, “Preservation Protection and Utilization of Water Resources”, recognizes the importance of preserving, protecting, and utilizing water resources responsibly to ensure a water-secure future.
World Water Day was first observed on March 22, 1993, after being established by the United Nations to promote global action on water-related challenges. Since then, it has been a vital platform for advocating for sustainable water management.
Country Director of WaterAid Liberia, Chuchu Selma, says WaterAid is a part of whatever the government is doing, and they are collaborating partners to enhance the good working relationship within the sector.
“We cannot continuously depend on external aid. All the aids and overseas development assistance are not just from USAID; several countries have started taking similar decisions, and other countries might follow suit,” Selma noted.
According to him, they need to look internally and think about how to mobilize resources, and that is why they are supporting CSOs.
“However, we can work with the government and look at mobilizing resources to turn things around in our favor, so that those who are suffering from lack of access to water sanitation and hygiene can be relieved of the burden.
Selma said the reason citizens often engaged representatives in the communities is because they face the reality of issues of water sanitation and hygiene. “So we need to prioritize water in our budget,” he added.
At the same time, the CEO of WASH Commission, George W.K Yarngo, said WASH Commission remains dedicated to working with stakeholders, policymakers, and communities to strengthen water governance and expand access to safe and clean water across Liberia.
In the keynote address Country Representatives Andrew Brooks delivered on behalf of development partners, he said the global water resources are interconnected and under threat from climate change, pollution and overuse.
In Liberia, approximately 37% of deaths in children under five are due to pneumonia and diarrhea, both of which are caused by poor WASH condition.
