Water is essential for life. Yet millions of people around the world face water shortages. Millions of children die every year from waterborne (Ë®´«²¥µÄ) __1__ (disease). And drought regularly causes suffering in some of the world's poorest countries. The world needs to respond much better. We need to increase water efficiency, __2__ (especial) in agriculture. We need to free women and girls __3__ the daily chores of __4__ (carry) water, often over great distances. We must involve them in decision­making on water management. We need to make sanitation (ÎÀÉúÉ豸) a priority. This is where progress is lagging (Âäºó) most. And we must show that water resources need not be a source of conflict. Instead, they can be a