NNatural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, floods, volcanic eruptions and avalanches can strike anywhere, at any time, as recent events around the world have shown.
All too often, many lives are lost both as a direct result of these disasters and as victims of their after-effects, such as shortage of drinkable water and lack of facilities to maintain basic personal hygiene, as well as a breakdown of public hygiene and sanitation provision.
Provision of Potable Water
Water is a basic requirement of all life. People, their livestock, wild animals and every plant on the planet depend on it for their survival.
The problem after disasters such as described above is not a lack of water, but the fact that the water so abundantly available has been polluted by both human and animal waste, as well as sadly often the drifting bodies of livestock and people who have died in the tragic events.
This pollution is ultimately responsible for bacteria causing outbreaks of cholera, epidemic typhus and other life-threatening diseases. Basic actions of personal hygiene, such as washing one's hands are impossible, further heightening the chances of becoming ill.
This is why the provision of potable water is one of the most important, key factors to be dealt with as soon after a disaster as humanly possible. To ensure the health and safety of those who have survived the actual disaster, potable water fit for human consumption, as well as maintenance of basic personal hygiene must be made available at all cost.
Potable Water for Drought stricken Areas
The same applies to areas where extreme droughts have reduced water sources to trickles barely recognizable as wells or streams. These sources are often used to water animals, wash clothing, bathe and as drinking water, again being hopelessly polluted and in reality threatening lives rather than saving them.
Many families have to walk for miles to get fresh water, and even then there is often no guarantee that the sources are actually clean and safe to drink. Here, too, it is necessary to provide potable water fit for consumption and personal hygiene purposes.
It is all too easy to take water for granted when all that is necessary to get it is to turn on a tap or faucet. Only when disaster strikes do we begin to realize just how fragile our existence is without such basic provisions.
Maybe the recent events shaking societies around the world will make more people aware just how important it is to provide fresh water for those most in need of it. Making suitable arrangements for such events before they strike is simple enough and governments around the world should have plans and equipment for emergency provisions standing by at all times.
It is hardly rocket science to see that disasters can and will strike, causing more devastation today than ever before because of growing populations. Being prepared to provide the basic necessities of health and hygiene immediately will save many lives.
