Haiti ranks last in global water-poverty index

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) in Wallingford, England, recently released a water-poverty index of 147, in which Haiti ranked last. British researchers developed the index as a holistic water management tool that can be used to determine priorities for action and to monitor progress towards targets, according to the CEH.

Only 20% of the country's households have piped water supply and the situation is only worsening. Millions in international loans, such as the US$ 54 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank, that could bring clean water to thousands of households are blocked since international leaders cut off aid to Haiti following the country's questionable elections in 2000. Meanwhile, diarrhoea and typhoid fever, remains rampant among Haiti's population of eight million.