The people of the lesser developed countries have suffered so much. But there are those who try to change this sad situation. I give thanks to WDM and its work.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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22 March 2005
Scottish campaigners demand halt to business takeover of third world water
Campaigners from the World Development Movement will protest on UN World Water Day (22 March) outside the Edinburgh and Glasgow offices of engineering consultancy Halcrow. They will descend on its offices armed with mops, buckets, cloths, sponges and plenty of soapy bubbles to tell the Government and water companies to 'clean up their act' and end to the scandal of UK aid money (money that should be used to give clean water to the world’s poor) going to businesses including Halcrow to push water privatisation in developing countries.
1.1 billion people lack access to clean water and 2.4 billion don't have basic sanitation. Halcrow is one of a number of UK companies receiving UK aid money in return for promoting the privatisation of water in developing countries. Britain is signed up to the United Nations' pledge to halve the proportion of people in developing countries without access to safe drinking water by 2015.
Kirstie Shirra, WDM's Head of Scottish Campaigns said: "The UK Government must stop giving aid money, money that should be spent on the world's poor, to Halcrow and other companies to promote water privatisation. We want Halcrow and the Government to clean up their act, this money is meant for the poor not for the pockets of company directors. We want clean water not dirty aid."
"Water privatisation doesn't work. Water is not like any other product, it is the basis of life. Who gets clean water in the third world must not be decided on where shareholders in rich countries like ours can make the most profits. Drinking water is a basic human need and should be available to all people regardless of their ability to pay. We want to see an end to policies that will allow big business to make a profit out of supplying water to the world’s poorest people. The British government and British companies must stop pushing this failed policy."
ENDS
Notes for editors
1) Photo opportunities: WDM campaigners will be outside Halcrow's Edinburgh office (16 Abercromby Place) from 8.30-9.30am and Halcrow's Glasgow office (35 Baird Street) at 12.30pm.
WDM campaigners will be giving information to passers by and Halcrow staff and cleaning a 'dirty' Halcrow sign while dressed as cleaners with mops, buckets etc.
A letter calling on Halcrow to 'clean up its act' will also be handed into both offices.
2) Halcrow has received UK aid money as part of water privatisations in Guyana, Sri Lanka, India and Ghana. It describes itself as a "market leader in the provision of restructuring advice", with particular expertise in the water sector.
95 per cent of the world's clean water is provided through public water systems. Water privatisation across the world has meant rises in water prices. In 1997 Thames Water and French company Suez took over the privatised water service of Jakarta in Indonesia. Prices have increased by an average of 82 per cent. In Argentina's Tucuman province water was privatised and sold to another French company Vivendi, water rates subsequently doubled. In 1998 five of Chile's 13 regional water companies were privatised. In the four years following privatisation the private water companies' water rates rose by 40 per cent – twice the rise of the public companies.
Contacts:
Kirstie Shirra, Head of Scottish Campaigns: 0131 557 0444 or 07813145169, or Anna Grady, WDM Glasgow and Ayrshire groups: 07800 828265
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