The United Nations has disclosed that over 5.6 billion people globally lack safe drinking water and access to safely managed sanitation.
This was revealed in the latest UNESCO report released just before the UN Water Conference in New York on Wednesday.
According to the report, the world is facing a “global water crisis’’ due to population growth, socio-economic development and changing consumption patterns.
“There is an urgent need to establish strong international mechanisms to prevent the global water crisis from spiralling out of control,’’ said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
“Water is our common future, and it is essential to act together to share it equitably and manage it sustainably.’’
The global urban population facing water scarcity is projected to potentially double from 930 million in 2016 to between 1.7 and 2.4 billion people, in 2050.
The rising incidence of extreme and prolonged droughts is also stressing ecosystems, with dire consequences for both plant and animal species, the report said.