Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a stark warning in its latest report, spotlighting the severe water scarcity crisis in Guatemala, which poses a direct threat to the health and human rights of millions, particularly among Indigenous populations and women. The report, titled "Without Water, We Are Nothing: The Urgent Need for a Water Law in Guatemala," underscores the critical lack of clean, reliable water affecting nearly half of the country's residents.

Despite its status as an upper-middle-income nation with more freshwater resources per capita than the global average, Guatemala's struggle with water access is exacerbated by longstanding government neglect and inadequate infrastructure. The report arrives in the context of a 2023 UN announcement, which highlighted the global shortfall in safely managed drinking water and called for a significant acceleration in efforts to close this gap.

Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at HRW, emphasized the necessity of a national water law. "Guatemala's authorities should urgently approve a national water law as a key step to guarantee safe, reliable, and universal access to water and sanitation services for all," she stated.

HRW's findings show stark disparities in water access that disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. While 33% of non-Indigenous Guatemalans lack indoor running water, this figure soars to 50% among Indigenous populations. The report also sheds light on the prevalence of unsanitary conditions, with nearly one-third of the country relying on latrines or resorting to open defecation. A 29-year-old single mother from Santa María Chiquimula shared her despair: "Sometimes I despair to see [my children] walking, carrying water."

Inadequate sanitation facilities have placed public health at risk, with only 42% of households having toilets connected to sewage systems. The report also notes the absence of a single functioning wastewater treatment plant in almost 30% of Guatemalan municipalities as of 2021.

This pressing humanitarian issue is further complicated by the country's fragile institutional framework. The UN has recently expressed concern over the state of Guatemala's judiciary, emphasizing the need for transparent judicial appointments and the protection of legal independence to prevent further democratic erosion.

HRW is urging President Bernardo Arévalo's government to enact a comprehensive national water law. This legislation would not only define clear water rights but also establish a financial and regulatory framework, incorporate penalties for pollution, and recognize and integrate Indigenous water management practices into national policy, ensuring that Indigenous communities have a say in water governance.

The call for action is urgent, as the health and rights of millions hang in the balance, waiting for decisive government action to secure their basic human right to water.