Steps towards achieving Millenium Development Goals through advancement of technology

2015 was set to be the year of celebrating completion and achieving Millenium Development Goals, however because of different reasons and difficulties faced by African countries this became impossible to happen 

The expansion of technological development in response to water resource issues includes innovations in filtration and sterilization systems, water waste-saving devices, and advances in economically viable desalination systems for coastal cities (UNESCO, 2009). Promoting these developments at the household level has the potential to benefit millions. As access to information and communications technologies improves, more and more communities are able to benefit from technologies that can immediately transform their lives and living conditions.

One eighth of the world's population lacks access to safe drinking water (United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], 2008). Millions die every year from waterborne (bacteria-contaminated water) and waterwashed (insufficient water for washing and personal hygiene) related diseases (Prüss-Üstün et al., 2008). Diarrhea alone, a life-threatening symptom of a number of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and bacillary dysentery, kills 1.5 million people every year - most of them children under the age of five (Prüss-Üstün et al., 2008). Malnourished children are at greater risk.

Access to clean water is a key factor in reducing poverty, improving health and achieving sustainable development. Freeing women and young girls from the back-breaking work of travelling long distances to collect water contributes to achieving gender equity and improves economic possibilities for families, as women have more time for income-generating activities, and young girls can attend school (Watkins et al., 2006). Improved health from contamination-free water not only promises a better quality of life, but eases pressure on heathcare systems, and can drastically reduce the number of work days missed from ill health. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reports that overall economic losses in Africa connected to a lack of access to safe water and basic sanitation is an estimated $28.4 billion a year (2009).

United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7 aims to halve the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation before 2015, leaving much to be done as this deadline approaches.

Bibliography
Clasen, T. (2009). Scaling up household water treatment among low-income populations Geneva: World Health Organization.
Progress on drinking water and sanitation: special focus on sanitation. (2008). New York, NY: UNICEF.
Prüss-Üstün, A., Bos, R., Gore, F., & Bartram, J. (2008). Safer water, better health: costs, benefits and sustainability of interventions to protect and promote health. Geneva: World Health Organization.
The 3rd United Nations World Water Development Report water in a changing world. (2009). Paris, France: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).