They should be spending money on those battles, not on fighting each other, nation against nation. Yet vast sums are spent on armaments for waging war.

This is "a scandal" that just drags civilisation backward, Francis told a group of Italian volunteers from an organisation called "I Was Thirsty."

Founded in 2012, the group sets up projects that provide clean drinking water to communities in need around the world.

"What is the point of all of us solemnly committing ourselves together at international level to campaigns against poverty, against hunger, against the degradation of the planet, if we then fall back into the old vice of war, into the old strategy of the power of armaments, which takes everything and everyone backward?"

As all life on Earth depends on water, "why should we wage war on each other over conflicts that we should resolve by talking to each other?

"Why not, instead, join forces and resources to fight the real battles of civilisation together: the fight against hunger and thirst; the fight against disease and epidemics; the fight against poverty and modern-day slavery?"

Not all choices are "neutral," he told the group.

Choosing to allocate a large percentage of a national budget on arms, which means taking resources away from those who lack basic necessities, is not a "neutral" choice.

There's another aspect to choosing to spend money on weapons. Doing so "dirties the soul, dirties the heart, dirties humanity," he explained.

In a separate message written on the pope's behalf, the Vatican Secretary of State told those taking part in the World Water Forum in Senegal this week that managing the world's water resources sustainably and cooperatively across national boundaries helps contribute to peace.

His words supported the forum's aims, which focus on water security's role in building peace and development.

"Water is a valuable asset for peace. As a result, it cannot be considered simply as a private good, generating commercial profit and subject to the laws of the market," Cardinal Pietro Parolin wrote.

The right to drinking water and sanitation is closely linked to the right to life and "water is a gift to us from God" meant for all people and generations.

Parolin said Francis hopes the forum will be an opportunity for people to work together to guarantee the right to drinking water and sanitation for every person.

This would lead to water becoming"a true symbol of sharing, of constructive and responsible dialogue" that promotes peace and is built on trust.

Source

• Crux Now
• Image: MadeBlue

They have repeatedly accused Turkey of 'weaponizing water' since its military takeover of the region in October 2019.

Those especially affected are those living in the north of Syria. The past few years' religious freedom for Kurds, Christians and Yazidis is reportedly again under attack from mainly Turkish military and Syrian Islamist fighters.

Turkey has cut off the water supply to the northern city of Hassakeh and surrounding districts - home to over a million people - for nearly four weeks.

This is risking hundreds of thousands of lives amidst the coronavirus pandemic and soaring temperatures, says the Syrian Democratic Council.

"This is a crime against humanity," says Gabriel Shamoun, the council's vice president.

The present water supply problems began when Turkey and its allies shut down the Alok pumping station. This was the eighth time the water had been cut off since Turkey invaded and took over the Ras al-Ain area last October, observers say.

They aim is to choke the inhabitants of Hassakeh into submission.

The Alok pumping station provides drinking water for around 800,000 people. It is also the main source of water for tankers supplying potable water to tens of thousands of inhabitants. The pumping station became inoperable during the Turkish invasion. So far service has been only partially restored.

According to UNICEF, if people are forced to rely on unsafe water from shallow wells, children and others face increased risk of waterborne diseases. Tankers transporting potable water are expensive and beyond many people's financial means.

Saying Turkey is using water as a "provocation" against the autonomous region, Shamoun is urging the U.S., the United Nations, and Russia (the Syrian government's main backer) to pressure Turkey to restore Hassakeh's water supply.

Kurds and Syriac Christians from this area have been America's chief ally in fighting Islamic State militants in Syria and ending its territorial caliphate.

Last year's U.S. troop pullback and Turkey's subsequent offensive are raising fears of an Islamic State resurgence.

"Using water as a weapon — which is not the first time — is a barbaric act and a flagrant violation of fundamental human rights," says the Damascus-based head of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch.

"Yet, there has been no response from the international community to this atrocity, despite the constant appeal of the people of the region," he wrote in a letter to the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 21 August.

People in Afrin and the autonomous northeast were allowed to choose their own faith and religious beliefs until militant Islamists working with the Turkish military invaded Afrin in January 2018.

Since then, Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities have been persecuted; their homes, businesses and properties have been taken over by the troops, and many have been forced to flee. Those who converted to Christianity face particular danger from the Islamists.

Source

• Catholic News Service
• Image: UCA News

During yesterday's General Audience in St. Peter's Square, he especially welcomed visitors participating in the "Watershed" Conference.

Timed to take place on 22 March - World Water Day - the conference focus was on "replenishing water values for a thirsty world".

Francis told the visitors he was happy the conference was taking place:

"It represents yet another stage in the joint commitment of various institutions to raising consciousness about the need to protect water".

Francis also said this commitment includes helping people become aware "water is a treasure belonging to everyone, mindful too of its cultural and religious significance."

Francis finished his special greeting to the conference participants by thanking them for their work.

He said he wanted to encourage the work they do in educating people, especially through programmes directed to children and young people.

The conference is being co-hosted by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Argentinian Chapter of the Club of Rome.

Source

• Zenit
• Vatican Radio
• Modern Survival Blog

He drew attention to to the latest figures on water published by the United Nations.

The world should not remain indifferent to the issue, he said.

"Every day, a thousand children die of illness linked to water and contaminated water is consumed by millions of people every day… This situation must be stopped and reversed. Fortunately, this is not impossible, but it is urgent."

A 2016 UN report says nearly 663 million people "lack ready access to improved sources of drinking water".

The report also says the number of people without reliable access to water of good enough quality to be safe for human consumption "is at least 1.8 billion ".

Francis drew attention to the Book of Genesis, which tells us that "water was there in the beginning.

He said the questions before Pontifical Academy are "basic and pressing".

Basic "because where there is water there is life, making it possible for societies to arise and advance," and pressing "because our common home needs to be protected."

Source

• Press TV
• America
• Image: Facility Executive

"Our guests will benefit significantly from the change in law", she told CathNews.

"Our chefs are very creative but will welcome the opportunity to offer a greater variety of food and further improve our guests' nutrition.

"I'd call this redistribution of food a 'win-win", said Nance Thomson.

In June this year the Food Safety Minister Nikki Kay announced that a 'Good Samaritan' clause will be introduced to the Food Bill, allowing restaurants and supermarkets to donate perishable foods without the liability they currently face.

Nikki Kaye says the amendment, currently before the Select Committee, will reduce the liability of donors and better protect businesses that "give good food in good faith".

A report published Wednesday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation found that each year about a third of the food produced for human consumption worldwide is wasted.

The approximately 1.3 billion metric tons emits the equivalent of about 3.3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases which is about twice the amount of carbon emitted from the U.S.'s transportation sector and close to twice the yearly emissions of India.

That wasted food also wastes water and the report states that about 250 cubic kilometres of ground and surface water is used each year to produce food that is ultimately wasted.

The Sister of Compassion have been running the Soup Kitchen in Wellington for more than a century. They offer daily a 'no questions asked' free breakfast and a $2 'family style' dinner.

This week the Soup Kitchen is looking for donations of milk, potatoes, canned tomatoes and eggs.

Sources

• RNZ
• Soup Kitchen
• UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (pdf)
• Image: Soup Kitchen

Ironically, Archbishop Leonard was speaking at a conference on blasphemy and the limits of religious freedom, at the Free University of Brussels.

The topless protesters, members of the radical group Femen, wore jeans and boots, shouted insults and made violent gestures.

They had slogans painted across their chests and backs, with the phrases "My body, my rules" and "God loves lesbians". They also carried a sign which read "Stop homophobia".

They carried water bottles — similar those used by pilgrims at Lourdes — with which they soaked the archbishop before being removed.

After the incident, the archbishop picked up one of the bottles, which was shaped in the image of the Virgin Mary, and kissed it as a sign of reparation.

"He was very calm and maintained a position of prayer. I have to believe he was praying for us," one observer told Le Soir newspaper.

According to Femen, the attack was spurred by an interview in which Archbishop Leonard suggested celibacy for all single persons, including homosexuals.

In 2010 and 2011, Archbishop Leonard was the target of attacks for his statements against homosexual acts and abortion. These included being repeatedly targeted with a custard pie thrust in his face.

The Catholic bishops of Belgium issued a statement expressing dismay at the latest incident and "solidarity with our colleague".

The bishops' statement noted that "a democratic debate on social questions is not possible unless it allows everyone to expound his ideas with mutual respect and freedom of expression."

Sources:

Catholic News Agency

Spiegel Online

Image: News.com

For, if nothing else, Maori interests and determination that rights issues must be addressed before asset sales proceed ought to tell us that this is a precious resource. And that we need to wake up and get with the programme.

We shouldn't have to be told, of course, but probably because water has always been abundant and free, and because most of us urban-dwellers are still relatively untouched by either shortage or quality decline, we continue to take plenitude for granted. Read more

Sources

• Simon Cunliffe in The Sunday Star Times
• Image: Miles To Go

Simon Cunliffe, a West Coaster by birth, was awarded best columnist at the 2012 Canon Media Awards.

These families are sheltering in over 200 evacuation centres and many lack regular access to water, food and essential items. Water and electricity shortages across the Western Division are creating a potentially dangerous situation for thousands more.

The director of the Fiji Disaster Management Office says between 30 and 40,000 people are receiving rations following Fiji floods that killed at least six and caused widespread devastation.

Pajiliai Dobui says the number of people in evacuation centres in the Western Division stands at just over 1,800 and there are 28 evacuees from a village in the Central Division's Rewa province.

UNICEF is especially concerned over access to clean water for both drinking and bathing. Leptospirosis, diarrhea and typhoid are a real threat in the flood-affected areas. Water is being delivered by trucks to evacuation centers and communities - however, due to damaged roads not all areas can be reached regularly. For those who do have access to water, proper filtering and storage of water is essential.

Source

• Radio New Zealand International
• Pacific Scoop.co.nz
• Image: The Voice of Russia

"The right to food, like the right to water, has an important place within the pursuit of other rights, beginning with the fundamental right to life," Pope Benedict taught in his 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate.

"It is therefore necessary to cultivate a public conscience that considers food and access to water as universal rights of all human beings, without distinction or discrimination."

The document will be called: Water, and essential element for life."

Ashok Kumar, a resident in the area said even before the floods hit the area, there was no water in the taps.

"There has been no water in the day or night and as a result the residents of this area have to go to wells and sometimes even hire lorries to go and fetch water from creeks," said Mr Kumar.

He said water trucks carted water to the area but only stopped on the main road and did not come to provide supply to areas off the main road.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Times

WaterAid Charity says a global plan to halve the number of people without access to sanitation by 2015, is failing so badly that some of the world's poorest countries will not have this basic necessity for another 200 years.

New research by the charity shows that the top 10 recipients of water, sanitation and hygiene aid ("Wash") over the past decade have not been those in greatest need, but largely middle or upper-middle-income countries.

For example, according to WaterAid's research,

• Malaysia, an upper-middle-income country, was the second biggest recipient of water aid in both 2000 and 2005, despite the fact that 97 per cent of the population already had access to sanitation and 92 per cent access to water.
• By contrast, Niger, with only 9 per cent of its population with access to sanitation, has not appeared in the top 10 recipient list once.
• Ninety per cent of people without access to sanitation facilities live in just 29 countries, with the highest absolute numbers in India and China.

Barbara Frost, chief executive of WaterAid, said: "Historical and strategic interests still influence where aid is going, rather than the countries and communities where poverty and need is highest."

Despite United Nations evidence showing that investment in water and sanitation can be one of the most cost-effective forms of aid, WaterAid concludes that progress on sanitation has been "slow, uneven and unjust". The share of global aid going to sanitation and water projects has fallen to 5.5 per cent, down from more than 8 per cent in the 1990s.

Alastair Morrison, programme manager at the UNDP water governance facility at Stockholm International Water Institute, said low levels of sanitation access do not just impact upon other global health indicators, but also on the world's wealth.

"We need to be aware of how serious the issue of sanitation is. We are seeing a loss of 6 per cent a year to some countries' GDP due to poor sanitation; this is $50bn or so in India each year, on top of health and humanitarian impacts," he said.

Sources

• The Independent
• Image: Stacey Burr's blog