NAIROBI, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Myths are holding back universal access to water and sanitation in cities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia, a policy brief by Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) revealed on Tuesday.
Neil Jeffery, chief executive of WSUP, said that the organization has identified five myths which are stopping investors, agencies and policymakers from properly addressing the inadequate access to essential water and sanitation services in cities across SSA and South Asia.
"Rapid urban growth and urbanization in SSA and South Asia has the potential to bring enormous benefits to both regions, lifting millions out of poverty, but these regions will only reap the benefits of this massive demographic change if urbanization is managed well," Jeffrey said.
He said that it is important the five myths, namely struggling utilities are unable to serve the poorest, water should be free, communities should be responsible for their own services, only focusing on household facilities and building toilets will solve the sanitation crisis, are addressed to avail clean and affordable water to the people.
"By overcoming the five myths identified in this policy brief, clean, readily available and affordable water and safe, dignified sanitation can be extended to all citizens living in urban areas," said Jeffrey.
The policy brief also says that in 2000, just a third of population in SSA lived in urban areas but according to projections, by 2035, it will be over half. In South Asia, 250 million more people are expected to live in cities over the next 15 years.
