Gospel for Asia Press Release: Dirty Water Claims 9,000 Lives Every Day

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Taun Cortado 972-300-3120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stoney Creek, Ontario, March 18, 2012—Roughly 884 million people in the world today still do not have access to clean water for their simplest needs. In fact, it is estimated that less than one percent of the earth’s water is even suitable for drinking. This lack of clean drinking water results in 3.4 million deaths every year or more than 9,000 deaths every day—most of them children.

As World Water Day approaches on March 22, Gospel for Asia is helping combat the global water crisis in South Asia by distributing BioSand water filters and digging Jesus Wells in areas lacking clean water.

The all-natural, man-made BioSand water filters use concrete and sand to remove impurities from even the most contaminated water and provides families with water that is 98 percent pure.

Jesus Wells are a very cost-effective way to provide a fresh water source for entire villages, allowing even the poorest and most marginalized people—like the Dalits (“Untouchables”)—in the community to draw clean water. According to the United Nations Development Programme, these people are often the most affected by water-related health problems because they are “systematically excluded from [water] access by their poverty, by their limited legal rights or by public policies that limit access to the infrastructures that provide water for life and for livelihoods.”

Daniel Punnose, vice president of Gospel for Asia, can attest to that fact.

“I have seen Dalits walking for miles to get water,” he said. “Because of their low status, they are not allowed to draw water from the same source as everyone else. Gospel for Asia is demonstrating Christ’s love tangibly by providing clean water to communities and people who desperately need it.”

Gospel for Asia realizes clean water is essential to saving millions of lives. With tools like BioSand water filters and Jesus Wells, GFA is now providing countless people a chance to survive. For more information, visit www.gfa.ca/cleanwater.

Editors: Gospel for Asia Vice President Daniel Punnose is available for interviews. Please call 972-300-3120.

Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission organization based in Carrollton, Texas, involved in sharing the love of Jesus across South Asia.