Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I just want to draw some public attention to next week, March 22nd, being designated as the World Water Day by the United Nations General Assembly back in 1992. Mr. Speaker, the World Water Day is an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of the more than one billion, or 20 percent, of the people worldwide who lack access to clean, safe drinking water, something many northerners cannot relate to due to the fact that we are surrounded by thousands of clear lakes and clear rivers.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to mention some simple but maybe even quite disturbing facts that we don't hear too much about here in the NWT with respect to water. Mr. Speaker, the lack of safe, clean drinking water is estimated to kill approximately 4,500 children per day. That is one every 14 seconds, Mr. Speaker. Ten kids will die even before I finish my Member's statement, and 120 before we all finish our Members' statements, Mr. Speaker. That is pretty disturbing to me. Mr. Speaker, the problem is not confined to any particular region of the planet. It is a worldwide issue. Although the task of addressing such a huge issue may seem quite daunting to many who may want to get involved, the modest actions of many individuals can make an extraordinary difference. So I encourage everyone to mark your calendars and go out and show your support on March 22nd to the organizations and the NGOs that are working towards developing a unified approach to addressing the disappearance of our safe, clean drinking water that condemns billions of people to a perpetual struggle for survival every day. So on March 22nd I encourage everyone to go out and make your difference. Thank you.
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