Ethiopia has been noted for their high record percents of health problems and diseases; many of which are due to the low percent of access to safe water and low water quality. An estimated 75 percent of health problems and communicable diseases originate from the environment and only 31 percent of households have access to safe water. Even though there is access to sanitized water, contamination of water supplies by cattle dung and human excreta such as: urine, feces and discharge from the body, is more frequent to come in contact with. High fluoride levels in water are also problems mainly in the Rift Valley regions.
“Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources”- The percentage of land in Ethiopia that is cover with a rainforest has dropped from 13.8 in 1990 to 11.9 in 2005. Although it is not a dramatic different it is still declining. Less rainforests means less oxygen is being produced. The amount of fuel being used did not change between 2003 and 2007. It stayed at 95%. (UN).
“Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation”- In 1990 the percentage of people with access to improved water supply was 17% and in 2008 it had risen to 38%. Although it is increasing most of the nation still doesn’t have access to a good water supply. (UN).
“Achieve, by 2020, a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers”- The percentage of people in a slum area was 95.5% in 1990. It decreased to 79.1 in 2007. Once again the number has dropped but not enough. (UN).
Source: "Water, Environment And Sanitation." Unicef. Unicef, n.d. Web. 12 Nov 2010.http://www.unicef.org/ethiopia/wes.html , and United Nations (UN)
Photo Source: http://www.thp.org/learn_more/on_the_record/working_in_harmony_with_nature
- In Ethiopia, an estimated 75% of the health problems of children and communicable diseases originate from the environment.
- Coverage levels for water and sanitation in Ethiopia are among the lowest in the world. According to official figures, 31 percent of households have access to safe water, and 18 percent of households have access to sanitation facilities.
- In addition to low coverage levels, water quality is another major problem, as evidenced by frequent outbreaks of water related epidemics in both rural and urban areas. Contamination of water supplies by cattle dung and human excreta (waste matter, such as urine, feces, or sweat, discharged from the body) is frequent. High fluoride levels in water are a particular problem in the Rift Valley regions of the country.
“Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources”- The percentage of land in Ethiopia that is cover with a rainforest has dropped from 13.8 in 1990 to 11.9 in 2005. Although it is not a dramatic different it is still declining. Less rainforests means less oxygen is being produced. The amount of fuel being used did not change between 2003 and 2007. It stayed at 95%. (UN).
“Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation”- In 1990 the percentage of people with access to improved water supply was 17% and in 2008 it had risen to 38%. Although it is increasing most of the nation still doesn’t have access to a good water supply. (UN).
“Achieve, by 2020, a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers”- The percentage of people in a slum area was 95.5% in 1990. It decreased to 79.1 in 2007. Once again the number has dropped but not enough. (UN).
Source: "Water, Environment And Sanitation." Unicef. Unicef, n.d. Web. 12 Nov 2010.
Photo Source: http://www.thp.org/learn_more/on_the_record/working_in_harmony_with_nature
