URGE CONGRESS TO FUND CLEAN WATER AND ADEQUATE SANITATION
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Dear Friends,
Water is a life giving resource that covers nearly seventy percent of our world, however, millions of people die every year from diseases that are preventable due to the lack of sufficient clean water. Contaminated water and inadequate sanitation account for eighty percent of sickness in the developing world, including the death of 4,500 children a day. Poor access to water and the need for improved sanitation contribute to hunger and lack of food security. Today, 1.1 billion people lack access to the minimum amount of safe water necessary for basic health, and 2.4 billion people without basic sanitation.
While the U.S. Government has long funded water and sanitation efforts abroad, the majority of aid is for emergency and temporary water supplies or for projects concentrated in a few countries. On December 1, 2005, Congress signed the Water for the Poor Act into law. This Act focuses on a long-term, sustainable water and sanitation provision in countries of the greatest need with emphasis on affordable and equitable access for impoverished communities. For this reason, we are asking Congress to increase funding for clean water.
TAKE ACTION
Lutheran World Relief asks you to contact your Senators and Representative to urge Congress to include $500 million for clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. This funding will be a part of the Development Assistance Account for Fiscal Year 2008.
PRAYER
Gracious God, fount of every blessing,
Your life-giving love flows for us and through us.
We give you thanks, for in all things you
sustain us through your Holy Spirit.
Yet drought is ever present in this life.
The land cries out for rain,
crops and cattle long for flowing streams,
and children cry empty tears of thirst.
Flood this creation with your healing waves.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and bless us in our thirst for righteousness.
Help us to proclaim the deluge of your Word.
Cleanse our hearts in your righteous care.
And remind us always of the love poured out for us.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, the Fount, we pray.
Amen
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Senator/ Congressperson:
I am writing to ask that Congress increase U.S. Development Assistance Account funding to $500 million for Fiscal Year 2008 for clean drinking water and adequate sanitation internationally. These increases should be part of an overall increase in U.S. development assistance for poverty alleviation world-wide. Millions of people every year die from diseases that are easily preventable due to the lack of sufficient clean water.
While the U.S. Government has long funded water and sanitation efforts abroad, most of this aid is emergency and temporary water supplies or for projects concentrated in a few countries. With its Water for the Poor Act, Congress focused concern on long-term, sustainable water and sanitation provision in countries of greatest need. The Act emphasizes affordable and equitable access for impoverished communities.
Congress' continued leadership role is critical. In calendar year 2007 there is an unmatched opportunity for the U.S. to exert moral, diplomatic and financial leadership so as to reach the goal, as stated in the Water for the Poor Act, of halving by 2015 "the proportion of people unable to reach or afford safe drinking water and basic sanitation."
Sincerely,
Your Name
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ACTION
Thank you for your tireless work. When you raise your voice in solidarity, the sound is heard around the world.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
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For more information, please contact advocacy@lwr.org.
