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Writer's pictureManushya Foundation
Oct 16, 2023

Food, Water, and Justice: the link between World Food Day and the plight of the Phichit Villagers


Water is life. Water is food. Leave No One Behind!

If you are reading this, I want you to stop, and take a sip of water. Feeling refreshed? 2.4 billion people currently live in water-stressed countries, it is not easy or simple for 10% of the world’s population to take a sip of fresh water, like you just did. This World’s Food Day, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is highlighting the foundational role water plays in our livelihoods. Manushya Foundation stands strongly behind this initiative, while providing a real life example in the case of the Phichit Villagers, who have experienced a loss of freshwater, leading to water shortages and loss of crops, all because of Akara Resources Gold Mining operations in Phichit.


Why focus on water on World Food Day?

We are quickly losing access to fresh water. Over the last 20 years, the amount of freshwater available to us has decreased by one-fifth, and this has impacted different regions unfairly, with some areas losing up to one-third of their freshwater supply.


Water is one of the foundational components sustaining our ecosystem, especially our food. 95% of our food is produced on land, requiring soil and water to grow the food. The water that is available to us is currently being threatened by climate change, economic development, urbanization, and rapid population growth. Without understanding and combating these issues, we will quickly lose the privilege of simple things that we currently take for granted, such as drinking a glass of water, or eating our favorite meals. Action must be taken, our lives depend on it.


What happened in Phichit?

In 2001, Akara Resources opened a gold mining operation in Phichit that has severely impacted the standard of living for over 6,000 villagers. The gold mine has caused severe water contamination, making it unsafe to drink. The villagers now have to rely on deliveries, and if they are irregular or inadequate, it causes a strain on their limited finances to buy the water they need to survive.


In addition to drinking water, the contamination has contaminated the water and soil used to grow their crops. The villagers now have to rely on imported food, adding to their costs required to survive. The community in Phichit is extremely vulnerable to food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition.


To read the full story of the Phichit Villagers, click here.


What can we do? #JusticeForPhichit

  1. Raise awareness and learn about the situation

  2. Demand Akara Resources, and its parent company in Australia Kingsgate Ltd to close down the mine.

  3. Demand #JusticeForPhichit Villagers, and for Akara Resources to take responsibility for their actions, and provide adequate compensation for the harm they have caused to the livelihood of Phichit.


#WeAreManushyan ♾ Equal Human Beings



References

While you’re here, check out our previous advocacy and campaigns to seek #JusticeForPhichit

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