WaterAid at the G8 blog

Day 2 am

Yesterday I'd hoped to be talking about what the G8 have decided to do on water and sanitation but the communique was still not out by early evening. It was supposed to be released at 5 o'clock but two hours later we'd heard nothing.

The leaders emerged from their meeting and President Obama and Prime Minister Berlusconi took a walking tour of L'Aquila. As they surveyed the damage perhaps they reflected on those still living in tents in L'Aquila unable to return to their homes and living without many basic services we take for granted. After any earthquake, securing drinking water and sanitation are the most immediate of concerns. Often in those situations water and sanitation are first on the list of priorities as the authorities seek to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. For some reason though when it comes to development water and sanitation are way down or even of the agenda.

Let's see if L'Aquila will inspire action by the G8 for the 2.5 billion in the world without sanitation and 1 billion without water.

Watch this space.