I asked Nirj Deva MEP, our ECR expert on this area who stated:
“Indeed, water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people around the world, an alarming figure that is projected to increase as a consequence of climate change. Although 2.1 billion people have gained access to improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling supplies of safe drinking water is a major problem. 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services whereas each day nearly 1,000 children die due to preventable water and sanitation-related diarrheal diseases.
The ECR Group has always put water and sanitation at the forefront of its development priorities and will continue to do so in the years to come. As ECR Coordinator for Development and Budget Draftsman for Development for the year 2017, Nirj Deva MEP will ensure that water, sanitation and hygiene receives the allocation of resources that it deserves.
We will continue to focus in our development policies on achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water as well as access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030; while paying special attention to the needs of children and women in vulnerable or emergency situations.
Ensuring universal access to water by 2030 requires investments in infrastructure, providing sanitation facilities and encouraging hygiene at every level. Implementation of integrated water resources management at all levels, expanding international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, as well as supporting the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management will be essential for the achievement of SDG 6.
We are in constant communication with the European Commissioner for Development Neven Mimica and the relevant Commission departments to make sure that our and your priorities are fully taken into consideration.”