A North-South Pact to Resolve Water, Sanitation Crisis

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Source: IPS

By Thalif Deen and Jennie Lorentsson

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 21, 2010 (IPS) - An international coalition of over 120 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is demanding a North-South partnership to resolve the spreading global crisis in water and sanitation.

As a first step, Western donors and national governments are being urged to form agreements in at least seven to 10 pilot countries to develop credible national plans, including a new pooled fund and enhanced technical support to develop capacity and planning systems.

The coalition - which includes End Water Poverty, African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation, Global Call to Action Against Poverty, Freshwater Action Network, Oxfam and WaterAid - says donors should also refocus investments towards low-income countries and marginalised groups.

The proposals, which also call for funding outside of existing aid commitments, will go before the first high-level ministerial meeting on sanitation and water scheduled to take place Friday in Washington DC.

Read more: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=51146