Published: March 24, 2011
Under Secretary Otero: Water Security Really is Human Security
Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero today highlighted that water security is human security. There is really a need to address global water issues.
According to Ms. Otero that the impact of water at the world level is really important. She pointed out that 2 million die every year because of lack of access to water or because of sanitation problems. Most affected by lack of water or lack of sanitation are women and children.
When water is not available, it can be a cause of tension and can be a factor that can affect the way in which countries interact with each other.
"I think what you're pointing out is this whole concept of having access to water - what we would call water security really is human security. Human security is how you're able to provide health to people, as you were pointing out, but also how you can help people have enough water available so they can grow their crops, so that they become not only economic and productive citizens, but they can also feed themselves. So this whole question of human security worldwide becomes a very important way of looking at this issue of water."- Under Secretary Otero
Ms. Otero also highlighted the importance of glaciers for storing water. They need to be preserved. She had watched glaciers melt in the Andes. She mentioned about the increased depletion of water because of overpopulation and other factors.
She reiterated that one of the reasons why water is becoming an increasing problem is because governments are not managing their water resources in the way that would make them more efficient and that would allow them to have more water.
Source: U.S. Department of State
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