FROM THE COMPILER'S DESK

Welcome to the 'REEDS NEWS' August 2009 edition. Though, we had an occasion of 63rd Independence Day to celebrate during this month, the draught like situation with the news of withered crops, dipping groundwater table, and shortage of irrigation and drinking water that has plunged many parts of the country into an unprecedented crisis, has dampened the celebration spirits. Are all these effect of changing weather patterns? Independent of climate change, the water resources are already stressed, and any additional stress from climate change will only intensify the competition for water resources. With over 25% of the country's population, (majority of them rural) living below poverty line, extreme events like these can have a devastating impact. Let us together put our bit of efforts to make a difference to improve the quality in the lives of rural communities. Wishing you an eventful reading of this communication,




Ravi K Reddy, August 25, 2009

INSIDE THE ORGANIZATION

All the initiatives of REEDS are aimed towards improved quality of life of rural population. REEDS is able to make a reasonable mark of difference in all its activities so far, thanks to the support and participation of many agencies and individuals with identical ideologies all through. We would like to update the readers with our initiatives in the current financial year so far i.e April to August 2009:

• Safe Drinking Water: Implemented 3 projects with an aggregate capacity of 3.54 million liters per day. 2 more projects with aggregate capacity of 3.5 million liters per day are under implementation. All these projects are of Department of Rural Water Supply, Government of Andhra Pradesh.


• Evaluation Studies: Carrying evaluation for Department of Drinking Water Supply, Government of India in 360 Gram Panchayats in Maharashtra for their eligibility to the prestigious national award of Nirmal Gram Pursakar.


• Rain Water Harvesting: Established Rain Water Harvesting Structures at 83 schools in 5 districts of Andhra Pradesh. These projects are of Department of Rural Water Supply, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

FACTS THAT MATTER

• Access to improved drinking water sources in India improved from 65% in 1999 to 86% in 2006 among the rural population. The figures in case of improved sanitation are 4 and 18 respectively.


• Total expenditure on health as % of GDP declined to 3.6 in 2006 from 4.3 in 1999. Source: World Health Statistics 2009 - World Health Organization


• Most of the 1.1 billion people categorized as lacking access to clean water use about 5 liters a day - one tenth of the average daily amount used in rich countries to flush toilets. UNDP Human Development Report 2006


• In the late 1890s the infant mortality rate in Great Britain was 160 deaths for every 1,000 live births -roughly the same as in Nigeria today. Children died mainly from diarrhea and dysentery. They died for the same reason that so many children still die in developing countries: sewage was not separated from drinking water. In the late 19th century they accounted for 1 in 10 deaths in US cities.
  UNDP Human Development Report 2006

HAPPENINGS

• 'An enlightened citizenry conscious of its civic duties and social responsibilities, maintaining discipline, following good habits particularly about hygiene and cleanliness, respectful towards nature's bounty and sensitive to environmental concerns is the greatest asset of a nation.'


• 'There are the weaker and the vulnerable sections of society who are not full partners in the growth and development process and remain on the sidelines. These sections of society need to be drawn into the national mainstream. They need to be given access to education, health and skill-building - the tools of empowerment.'
  President Mrs. Pratibha Patil in her speech to the nation on the eve of 63rd Independence Day


• 'Climate change has become an issue of global concern in recent years. If we don't take the necessary steps in time, our glaciers will melt and our rivers will go dry. The problems of droughts and floods will grow in seriousness. We also need to prevent air pollution. We are committed to meet the challenge of climate change through 8 Missions.'
  Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in his 63rd Independence Day speech to the nation.