AMERICA/LATIN AMERICA - Every year thousands of children die due to lack of clean water and basic healthcare

Rome (Fides Service) - Every year in Latin America and the Caribbean more than 36,000 children under five die of diseases caused by lack of clean water and basic health-care.
Another 14,500 die because of pollution in homes caused by burning of solid material to provide heat for cooking. Another 1,000 die because from city pollution.
According to an Atlas on Child Health and Environment issued by the World Health Organisation, 86% of urban water runs into rivers, lakes and sea without any previous treatment and only 49% of the population can rely on being connected to the sewage system. In the United States and in Western Europe the average is between 11 and 15 percent. (AP) (25/6/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:16; Parole:155)