22 March 2025 – World Water Day.

So-called mega droughts are on the rise all over the world, that is to say, severe water crises that persistently affect the same region for several years in a row. Persistent multi-year drought events pose a growing threat to people and nature. Communities in Africa are enduring some of the worst droughts in decades. The Horn of Africa has faced five consecutive seasons of failed rains, leaving millions at risk of famine. Crops have withered, livestock have died and families are forced to migrate in search of water.

At the same time, monsoons in Asia have become more lethal. In 2023 and 2025, extreme rainfall caused catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, India and China, submerging entire cities, displacing millions of people and causing thousands of deaths.

A matter of conscience

For us Christians, the water crisis is not just an environmental issue, it is first and foremost a question of conscience: when we neglect the earth, we fail in our duty to care for our brothers and sisters, especially those living in the most vulnerable regions. Protecting water means protecting human dignity, health and life itself.

Everything is connected

We are called to see the interconnection of all creation. The vision that ‘everything is connected’, as described by Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, reminds us that our actions have an impact not only on the surrounding environment, but on the entire planet.

Seek first the Kingdom of God

‘Seeking first the kingdom of God also indicates an invitation to conversion. Certainly, at times, our way of life can be heedless of the waste and excessive exploitation of natural resources. Seeking the Kingdom means realising that the earth is a garden to be looked after and not property to be plundered. Be people who know moderation as a virtue and respect for creation as a way of being in communion with God’ (Mons. Delpini, Archbishop of Milan).

A call to action

The water crisis requires urgent action. Every drop of water we save, every voice we raise and every initiative we support brings us closer to a future where no one is left behind. The time for hesitation is over.

  • Support responsible water management and clean water initiatives in your community.
  • Reduce water waste in your daily life, encourage others to do the same.
  • Support organisations working to ensure access to drinking water for those in need.