In developing countries, many people do not have clean water to drink, bathe and cook. You can now get involved to help the less fortunate meet their basic needs. Donations from concerned members of the community, along with Miami-Dade County employees, will be used to build these life-saving systems to provide potable water, health and sanitation to our neighbors in Central America.

Families across the world are suffering because they lack safe drinking water. Safe drinking water, basic health, hygiene education and sanitation facilities are nonexistent for impoverished people in developing countries. The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimate that the combination of these conditions results in 6,000 deaths every day, mostly children.

Miami-Dade County supports the work of Water For People (WFP), and has pledged to raise money for the philanthropic organization. In January 2007, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners declared the first week of April each year as "Water for People Week." Fundraising activities will be held countywide to support WFP.

"As a community, we will take this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people who do not enjoy the very basic element of life, clean water," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, whose leadership has brought this issue to the forefront.

"We all recognize that there are many other charities to which one can give, however, this hits at the most basic of human needs; I encourage our community to come together in this effort," urged Commissioner Seijas.

Miami-Dade County has chosen to direct the dollars raised more specifically by opting for a broader opportunity by "adopting-a-region." This will better allow our community to focus on the needy region closest to South Florida: Central America. The goal is for the community to invest on a more long-term basis.

For more information, contact us.

Water for People 2009 Campaign Update

Last year, Water for People helped reach the following in various poor countries across the world:

• 91,722 beneficiaries with clean water
• 92,983 beneficiaries with proper sanitation
• 335 schools and communities served

Part of the reason for that success was the efforts of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, which this year helped raise $18,695 for Water for People.

• View the February 2009 Water For People report