Since 1993, the UN has observed March 22 as World Water Day as a way to highlight the importance of clean water. This year's theme is "Valuing Water".

The World Water Day website has toolkits available in English, French and Spanish. The kits include top facts and key campaign messages.

The website has information on an online forum on the topic of Water Source Security. On the website, you can read about the World Water Day Kids Summit and the 20 tips provided by 450,000 children.

"Why is WASH in Health Care Facilities so Important?", has been asked by some Rotarians. Ron Denham, Chair Emeritus of the WASH Rotary Action Group, recently created a presentation available as a PowerPoint and a PDF on the topic (available on the Presentations and Promotional Items tab of our website)

He also wrote a very informative article, "An Alarming Situation" on the crisis of WASH in Health Care Facilities and why Rotary Clubs need to take action.

We are looking for your photographs and videos showing people involved in water, sanitation, and hygiene projects. The 2021 People of WASH competition allows us to build a gallery of images that can be used by Rotarians to promote their WASH projects and to be used in educational presentations.

There are photography and video sections with amateur and professional categories. There is $2,400 in prize money.

Submission deadline April 30th.

USAID: Water Currents is an excellent biweekly newsletter with a summary of publications and resources on specific topics.

The February 11th issue refers to a UNESCO factsheet

that summarizes the UN's Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) that are focused on water. quality issues aimed to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all."

As we approach World Water Day it is good to review the UN's Goal to "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The 2021 Colorado WASH Symposium will be held virtually on March 11 and 12. This is a free event, that this year has five themes with interesting titles like "Climate Change Risk & Adaptation" and The "Future of WASH". Register Here

The 2021 UNC Water and Health Conference: Science, Policy, and Practice will be held October 4-8, 2021, Chapel Hill, NC. They are accepting proposals for abstracts, side events and plenary sessions.

Cadre of Technical Advisor joins Operations Team

Wade Nomura, a member of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning, is one of The Rotary Foundation's Cadre of Technical Advisors.

Wade has joined the WASH Rotary Action Group's Operations Team to share information and resources on Global Grants and to engage members of the WASH Rotary Action Group as Technical Advisors.

Learn more about Wade Nomura on our Stories Page.

Over the past year, Rotarians have become familiar with Zoom meetings. The E-Club of WASH has been meeting virtually using Zoom for a number of years. They have members from around the world with a common interest in water, sanitation, and hygiene. Due to meetings being held virtually they have the advantage of being able to have exceptional WASH-related speakers.

Rotarians are welcome to visit or join. Visit their meeting Zoom Schedule.

To celebrate World Water Day many clubs are gathering to clean the rivers in their area. Garbage, especially plastic items, pollute many rivers and in a few hours, Rotarians can make a huge difference to a watercourse.

The Champion for Cleaning Rivers is Salvador Rico of the Rotary Club of South Ukiah. His Club is gathering on Sat. March 20, for three hours, to clean a 100-mile stretch of the Russian River, California.

Joseph Mubiru, Regional Grants Support Officer, for District 9211 of Tanzania and Uganda contacted us about the many WASH projects the clubs in their district are planning. They are looking for International partners.

1) Kabungo school infrastructure & WASH Project

2) Dik-Dik School WASH Project

1) Greater Masaka Mega Fellowship WASH Project

1) Green Ribbon Project - WASH in 15 primary schools

2) Kabasumba Adopt a Village Project (WASH Plus)

1) Solar Powered piped water to communities

1) Ten school WASH Project