Media Advisory: RED CROSS HONORS WORLD WATER DAY

Children's Photography Exhibit Depicts Life in Western China

WASHINGTON, Monday, March 19, 2007 — According to China's Ministry of Water Resources, an estimated 312 million villagers suffer from water shortages or unsafe water contaminated by fluorine, arsenic, high levels of salt and other organic or industrial pollutants. World Water Day, observed each year on March 22, is an annual reminder of the chronic water problem that developing communities around the world face, especially rural villages.

The Red Cross is helping to reduce the number of water-borne illnesses by ensuring the consistent supply of safe and clean water to thousands of communities and schools in parts of Western China. To better meet adequate hygiene needs, the Red Cross is building or rehabilitating latrines in elementary schools, and installing running water taps to promote hand-washing campaigns in schools. Community hygiene information campaigns are educating communities at the grassroots level, while also supporting preventive health behaviors in more isolated rural communities.

In honor of World Water Day, the American Red Cross and the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) have organized a photo exhibition, ‘Child's Eye: Photos from Ningxia' in Beijing. The exhibition will feature images by child photographers, highlighting life through the eyes of children in rural China.

WHO:	The American Red Cross and the Red Cross Society of China.
WHAT:	A children's photography exhibit depicting life in western China.
WHERE:	Chaoyang District Culture Center. Address: Chaoyang District Culture Center 2nd floor (17 Jingtai Road, Xiao Zhuang, Chaoyangmenwai, Chaoyang District). Phone: 010-85994224
WHEN:	Open for press Thursday 22nd March from 6-7:30 pm. General exhibit from Friday 23rd March to Sunday April 8th 2007.
ABOUT THE SPONSORS:	This event and campaign is made possible through contributions by the American Red Cross and Safeguard/P&G. Safeguard will also take this opportunity to support a new partnership with the Red Cross Society of China, with the launch of a "Heath Initiative for Villages in Western China"

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