Report: 60 Million Latin American Children lack drinking water

Marcela Hernandez, January 24, 2008, 10:45PM, current event 2

My topic is Poverty and Inequality which we basically see everywhere around the world. In many poor countries like Mexico, Central America and South America, there has been a problem with a lack of proper drinking water causing high rates of infant mortality and illnesses. Lack of water is not the only problem but it is said that “almost half the population aged 0-18 has no access to proper sanitation or sewage, which worsens the situation even more.” There are more poor children in the region than in 1980 according by the United Nations Children’s Fund. “Half of Latin America’s poor are under the age of 18 which it was linked to the growing number of poor homes led by women which make up 1/3rd of households.” “The inequality that affects Latin America - a region where 70 per cent of the citizens have income levels below their country's average - darkens the prospects. The richest 10 per cent of the population earns 30-50 per cent of household incomes in each country in the region.”

This article made me mad and sad at the same time seeing that many children die because of lack of water and malnutrition. Many of these countries are poor and I know we can’t do much about that situation. Many people are quick to judge and say that they wouldn’t be in this situation if people would just work, but that is not the case. I have lived in one of these countries (El Salvador) and I know what the situation is like. It’s really hard for someone to find a job even for the well educated because the lack of work and many are underpaid. Many of us don’t realize how lucky we are even if we don’t live in luxury but we have something that many people desire for, food and water.