Kansas City, MO (March 15, 2010) – Traveling in jam-packed buses, in open-air trucks, on bikes, and on foot, more than 21,000 women will gather to celebrate World Water Day on March 22 in Kolakkudipatti village, India. Waking as early as 4 a.m. to start the journey, lunch in hand, people from hundreds of villages and slums will join elected officials, international organizations, and community leaders. Together, they’ll recognize the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene, celebrate the improvements made in their villages, and rally support for future efforts.

Water impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, but nearly one in eight people don’t have access to clean drinking water and twice as many people don’t have a sanitary toilet. In 1992, the United Nations established World Water Day to focus attention on the world’s water crisis and the solutions needed to address it. This year, a collaborative of US-based organizations has joined to raise awareness and action on behalf of those without access to clean water. See featured events in Washington, D.C. and learn more at www.waterday.org.

To complement to the live World Water Day events, on March 17 Water.org and ONE.org, a global anti-poverty advocacy organization, are launching a campaign at oneWEEKforWATER.org by inviting everyone to donate their online voice for World Water Week. The site celebrates the 200 million people who have gained access to safe water in the past ten years. Supporters can sign up to have their profile picture and background image automatically changed to show their support for the cause while also allowing automatic posting of content to their Twitter and Facebook accounts from March 22 – 26.

About Water.org

Water.org is a non-profit organization whose founders have transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. Its microfinance-based WaterCredit Initiative is pioneering sustainable giving in the sector. Learn more and make a difference at www.water.org.

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The Forum aims at sharing the successes, ideas and lessons of WaterCredit with microfinance, in order to promote additional financial innovation in the watsan space, connect current and future partner organizations, and widen its beneficiary base.

The Forum is expected to have attendance from banks, MFIs and WSH NGO WaterCredit partners, potential MFI partners, development banks, microfinance service providers and private venture capitalists.

Read full Microfinance Focus article.

To date STOMP campaign supporters include names such as: Stuart Rush, CEO and Founder of Australia Luxe Collective – water.org

Read full Business Wire article.

We talk with Water.org Chief Operating Officer Keith Stamm about efforts being made to bring cleaner water to countries in need including the challenge of the freshwater scarcity and how it is affecting political, economic, and environmental issues across the globe.

We also look specifically at the efforts being made in Haiti after last month’s earthquake.

Listen to full Up to date interview.

SVMN’s event on Feb. 9, 2010 featured guest speakers Gary White (Executive Director and Co-Founder, Water.org) and April Rinne (Director of WaterCredit at Water.org), who discussed the numerous benefits of partnering with microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the developing world to provide access to clean water and sanitation to their existing clientele.

Read full SVMN article.

The organization is using social networking in its effort to provide clean water to Haiti, an effort it started long before the earthquake.

Read full Investor’s Business Daily article.

Read full Hand in Hand article.

“This may well represent a very good opportunity expand service to people at affordable prices.” Rich Thorsten is Director of International Programs for Water.org. He was in Port au Prince a week before the quake looking at water distribution systems.

Listen to full PRI story.

The Haitian government doesn’t use its own resources for sanitation, and instead depends on charities, Thorsten said. In addition, international groups often do not coordinate, and there are also problems with security, corruption and political stability, he said.

“It is very important to keep track of the spending, and so when we work with partner organizations we make sure they have detailed accounting systems,” he said. Supplies must be guarded, he added.

Read full AP article.

Read full the Pitch article.