Not so wonderful Copenhagen

After almost two weeks of discussions at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, world leaders came to an international agreement for tackling climate change that no country was "entirely satisfied" with, according to US officials.

The outcome - a decision to "take note of" an accord drawn up by a core group of heads of state on Friday evening - is far from the legally binding treaty which some had expected and for which many had hoped.

The Copenhagen Accord recognises the need to keep temperature rises to no more than 22C, but does not contain any commitments to reducing emissions in order to achieve that goal. The crucial subject of water didnt even figure in the discussions and there were no real signs that Copenhagen's delegates would make water adaptation strategies a priority.

Climate change is a real and present danger, and those most vulnerable to this threat are people who have contributed the least to this problem. WaterAid works in two of the poorest regions of the world  sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia  where the impact of climate change is already felt among the poorest communities.

One billion people today lack access to safe drinking water and two and a half billion to adequate sanitation. At root, this is a crisis driven by inequity and a failure of governments to meet the basic rights of their citizens rather than a scarcity of natural or other resources.

However, the impact of climate change on water stands to further exacerbate existing inequities as well as threatening the water security of millions more. One UN estimate is that by 2080, an additional 1.8 billion people will be living in a water scarce environment.

It is clear from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that climate change will have significant impacts on water resources and access to drinking water and sanitation, but where and how these impacts will be felt is less clear. The projections for rainfall, evaporation and run-off show a high degree of variability across countries and regions. All these impacts, whether they are long-term water stress or an increased frequency of storms and flooding, will be keenly felt by those who have limited or no access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, pushing more and more into water poverty.

In response to this, WaterAid has developed its responses to minimise the impact.

The Copenhagen Accord promises to deliver $30bn ((18.5bn) of aid for
developing nations over the next three years and outlines an aim of providing
$100bn a year by 2020 to help poor countries cope with the impacts of climate
change.

What remains to be seen is whether any of that aid will go towards supporting adaptation strategies to protect existing water and sanitation systems, as well as expanding access to climate-resilient water and sanitation services for all.

Number 10's Christmas wishes for WaterAid

WaterAid is delighted to be chosen to receive donations linked to this year's official Number 10 Downing Street Christmas card.

The cards that the Prime Minister and Sarah Brown will be sending feature WaterAid and a donation will be made to the charity.

Sarah Brown said: "WaterAid is a great charity doing vital work that is widely supported by many people in Britain. I have focused my own campaigning efforts on reducing the deaths of mothers and infants during pregnancy and childbirth, and I know the availability of basic sanitation and clean water is a fundamental part of keeping people in good health."

WaterAid's Chief Executive Barbara Frost said: "WaterAid is thrilled to have been selected by the Prime Minister and his wife Sarah, as this means that the importance of water and sanitation in overcoming poverty in developing countries has been championed at the very highest level in the UK.

"The message in No 10's Christmas card is a very powerful way to remind us that billions of people don't have these basic necessities of life. It will raise awareness of the vital importance of safe water and sanitation as without them it will not be possible for the Millennium Development goals to be met.

"Universal primary education, improved maternal health, reduced infant mortality and gender equality require investment in safe water, improved hygiene and decent toilets. Thank you so much to the PM and Sarah for this wonderful Christmas gift of support."

For more information please contact: Mel Tompkins on

meltompkins@wateraid.org or call 020 7793 4995

Notes to editors:

WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities. We work with partners and influence decision-makers to maximise our impact.

WaterAid supporter recognised in Children of Courage Awards

Nine-year-old WaterAid supporter Hemi Poulton was honoured today, alongside some of the country's bravest children, at a star studded ceremony in London.

Hemi Poulton, from Bermondsey, London, was presented with the Women's Own Children of Courage Young Fundraiser Award for her long-standing commitment to raising funds for WaterAid.

Hemi received her award with the other winners at the London ceremony, presented by singer Peter Andre. The winners also paid a visit to Number 10 Downing Street and were guests of honour at a special reception at the House of Lords.

Other celebrities attending included X Factor's Jedward as well as stars from Strictly Come Dancing, Coronation Street, EastEnders and I'm A Celebrity.

See a picture gallery on the Mirror website here (link opens in a new window)
See a photo from 10 Downing Street on Flickr here (link opens in a new window)

Read an article about this event on the Daily Star website here (link opens in a new window)

When Hemi first heard about WaterAid from a family friend who works for the charity, it made a huge impression on her. Hemi felt it was unfair that some children in the world are forced to drink dirty water and walk miles just to collect it, or that some schools don't have any toilets. At her fifth birthday party she surprised her parents by deciding to ask her friends for donations rather than presents.

Miriam, 43, a nutritionist, said: "She did this on her sixth birthday, too, telling those people off who insisted on bringing her a gift as well as making a donation. She was really determined to raise as much money for the charity as possible."

By forgoing birthday presents for donations, Hemi has raised over £200 each year for the charity, which will have a real impact when you consider that just £15 can enable one person to access safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation in the countries WaterAid works.

On her eighth birthday, as well as giving up birthday gifts, Hemi organised a kids sponsored cycle ride at a park near her home in South London. Together with her school friends she raised a further £1,500 for WaterAid – enough to provide several schools with toilet blocks – something most children her age wouldn't even know were needed.

WaterAid nominated Hemi for the award. WaterAid's Community Fundraising Manager Cathy Whiteman said: "Hemi is only nine years old yet she has supported WaterAid for four years, making her one of our youngest and most loyal supporters, and a true inspiration to others.
"We are delighted that Hemi has been recognised by the Woman's Own Children of Courage awards for the wonderful support she has shown to WaterAid and the impact this has had on the lives of some of the world's poorest people. Well done Hemi!"

Hemi is now planning another sponsored cycle ride in South London in June 2010. If you would like to get involved email: bikeforwater@yahoo.co.uk or to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/bikeforwater

For more information please contact brendamcilwraith@wateraid.org or call 020 7793 2245.

Notes to Editors

There were nine winners being honoured in eight different categories: Outstanding Bravery, Sheer Courage, Young Fundraiser, Young Carer, A True Inspiration, Local Hero, Unsung Hero and Outstanding Achievement.

Valerie Okoampah, also from London, received the Local Hero award for campaigning to reduce the threat of gun and knife crime after two students at her school lost their lives to violence.
WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities. We work with partners and influence decision-makers to maximise our impact.

• At least 4000 children die every day as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.


• 884 million people in the world do not have access to safe water. This is roughly one in eight of the world's population.


• 2.5 billion people in the world do not have access to adequate sanitation, this is almost two fifths of the world's population.


• Just £15 can enable one person to access safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation.

The Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards, now in their 36th year, are one of the longest-running award ceremonies dedicated to recognising the achievements of children.

Every year, Woman's Own readers, families, friends, and medical experts nominate their Children of Courage to enjoy a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.The awards were judged by Karen Livermore, editor of Woman's Own and Natasha Cook, deputy editor of Woman's Own.

Putting water resources and communities on the map

A season of presentations and panel discussions will be taking place from December to recognise the importance of integrated water resource management at field and policy level.

First event - Complex risk: the future of water resource and land management
(see below for more details)

The Appropriate Development Panel (ADP) for the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), in collaboration with Oxfam and WaterAid, are hosting the events to highlight current and future risk to regional and local water resources in the most vulnerable environments.

The discussions will draw attention to the multiple risks to water resources and land, beyond climate change projections and will share information on how WASH agencies can operationalise water resource and land management and implement an innovative IWRM approach. The need to link water and land policy decisions to field realities will also be explored.

The discussions can be follow online and there will be a chance to ask the panels questions from anywhere in the world. The ADP also invites expressions of interest from organisations interested in sponsoring individual events. For further information or to register contact Daphne Guthrie.

Visit the Institute of Civil Engineers website for updated event details

Programme and speakers:

Complex risk: the future of water resource and land management
Tuesday 15 December 2009, 18:30
The sustainable management of water and land resources is fundamental in the delivery of health services and food security. This discussion will set the scene highlighting the need to operationalise water resource and land management.Speakers: Professor Richard Carter (WaterAid) and Roger Calow (Overseas Development Institute)

Recognising and respecting community-led adaptation
March 2010
Community Water Resource Management should form an integral component of broader IWRM initiatives, yet relief practitioners frequently overlook traditional approaches for managing water and land resources.Speakers: Dr Paul Trawick (Cranfield University) and Dr Nick Brooks (Tyndall Research Centre)

Practical Integrated Water Resource Management
June 2010
To become effective IWRM needs to be broken down into integral components, which encourage decentralisation and accountability towards end water users.Speakers: St John Day (Oxfam GB) and Oliver Jones (WaterAid Nepal)

Moving from practice to policy: the role of communities in effecting change
September 2010
To manage water resources effectively requires water and land policies that reflect operational reality rather than remaining aspirational. Mutual respect must exist between end water users and policy makers.Speakers: Dr Bruce Lankford (University East Anglia) and Dr Julie Trottier (University of Montpelier)