REMARKS

Denise E Antonio

World Water Day 2021 Live Showcase

Monday March 22, 2021

·        His Worship the Mayor of May Pen, Councilor Winston Maragh

·        Distinguished panelists and guests

Good Afternoon

I am delighted to celebrate World Water Day 2021 with you, as we renew our commitment to respect and sustain water as one of the earth’s most critical resources for health, food and life.

The experts tell us that 71 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water.

Yes, water is abundant.

But in many countries like Jamaica, especially rural farming communities plagued by Climate Change, accessing potable water remains a challenge. Only 63.9 % have access to an improved source of drinking water compared to 99.5% for the capital city, and 88.9% for other urban areas, according to Jamaica’s Survey on Living Conditions (2015).

Farmers need water to feed the nation, households and hospitals need water to sanitize and sustain health, and our bodies require water as a necessity to survive.

Water poverty often translates to other inequalities, growth stagnation, disease and poverty.

That is why UNDP remains committed to supporting countries to harvest rain and underground water because of its proven impact on other areas of the economic growth cycle.

Through projects such as our GEF Small Grant Programme, the Japan Caribbean Climate Change Partnership and now the UN/Government of Jamaica Human Security Joint Programme we are making contributions to closing the water inequality gap in Jamaica.

Our internal evaluations of nine projects dating from 2013 to 2019 indicate that through the GEF SGP and JCCCP, our water harvesting projects are still actively serving more than 135 000 persons in virtually every parish across the nation. Our strategic partnerships with 128 communities across the nation has helped expand water storage capacity by a combined modest 2.2 million gallons over seven years.

We are encouraged by reports that these Projects have helped to mitigate the impacts of Climate Change by channeling potable water into pipes, and reversing downturn in crop harvests, caused by drought.

We are especially gratified that access to potable water may prove helpful in supporting the local fight against infectious diseases including COVID-19 in target communities and has proven to be particularly successful in boosting crop harvests.

UNDP has been a proud member of the United Nations group implementing the Human Security Joint Programme to demonstrate how water access strengthens resilience to crisis. I can announce that through this project we have established 20 on-farm water management systems collaboratively with farmers on their plots; rehabilitated water harvesting systems to provide potable water to communities in Northern Clarendon which lack access to water from the municipal sources; established household and community-level water treatment demonstration systems in communities and demonstration sanitation facilities in communities using recycled water.

We are especially encouraged by the stories shared by our partners:

For example, Ophelia Foster Scott, Mt Peto 4H leader and Guidance Counselor said, and I quote: "Before we got this tank, we struggled to get water to the farm. We would have crops dying, withered. But since we got the infrastructure, we have had water to sustain the entire farm. We were able to put in some fruits, peppers, melons, pumpkins. Pumpkins are sold to the school canteen and the income is used to fund the breakfast feeding programme"

UNDP is honoured to make a modest contribution to government's expanding programme of efforts to expand water harvesting and access to underserved communities in Jamaica. I applaud the policy and programme leaps being made by the government to this end as it will help Jamaica to secure sustainable development goals 6, Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 1- No Poverty; and SDG 2- Zero Hunger.

One standout lesson learned for me is that the impact on health and sanitation, sustainable agriculture, sustainable livelihoods and local economies has largely been achieved in partnership with members of the community.

I believe more strategic and creative partnerships with communities based on effective consultation can deepen the impacts of these investments and ensure their sustainability. I would like to further recommend scaling up linked yet underexplored initiatives such as exploiting the potential of medicinal plants and establishing aquaponic ventures to enhance alternative livelihoods.

UNDP is committed to supporting you in this journey and assures you that we remain your ally in securing your vision for a Jamaica that is the place of choice to work, live, raise families and do business.

Happy World Water Day.