Seven Weeks for Water 2026: Week 1 - Climate resilient communities in the context of WASH

Ecumenical Water Network

Seven Weeks for Water 2026 - Week 1: Climate resilient communities in the context of WASH LATIN AMERICA: RESILIENT COMMUNITIES RESISTING, ADAPTING AND RECOVERING FROM FACING WATER SCARCITY, LACK OF SANITATION, AND HYGIENE The first reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2026 is authored by Rev. Veronica Flachier, a Lutheran pastor who currently serves as president of the Ecumenical Human Rights Commission of Ecuador. She was cochair of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network and a member of the International Reference Group for 11 years. Today, she is a member of the WCC Just Community of Women and Men International Reference Group. In this reflection, the author contrasts the biblical vision of life in abundance in Revelation with the harsh reality of inequality and water scarcity facing marginalized communities in Latin America. Ultimately, this reflection serves as a call to action for faith communities to challenge the status quo and actively work toward justice, dignity, and equitable access to essential resources for everyone. 19 February 2026 Credit: ACT Alliance By Rev.Veronica Flachier   Texts Matthew 7:24-27 The Essence: Concluding the Sermon on the Mount, contrasts two builders: one wise, one foolish. The wise person hears and acts on Jesus' words, building their life on a rock-solid foundation that survives storms, while the foolish person hears but does not act, resulting in a disastrous collapse. It emphasizes obedience as the essential foundation of faith. Revelation 22: 1-2 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.   Reflection Latin America and the Caribbean remains the most unequal region on the planet, despite being the richest in natural resources. High income disparity, unfair access to opportunities, and insufficient attention to marginalized sectors are reflected in structural inequalities, limited access to safe water, and inadequate sanitation and hygiene. In a region where 72 million people lack adequate basic services, strengthening resilience is a critical challenge for public health and constitutes a major social debt. In this complex scenario, it should be highlighted that women living in the most marginalized communities in the region bear the heaviest burden. They are generally responsible for managing the precarious conditions of their homes, resulting from a lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation infrastructure, which limits the progress and potential of their communities.  It is true that women living in these areas are highly resilient, continually adapting to and recovering from the effects of unprecedented climatic events. These women are often pushed to fill service gaps, even contributing to the construction of basic systems that are fragile but allow them to temporarily mitigate their hardships. However, despite these efforts, it remains difficult for them to achieve living conditions comparable to those in regions adequately served by the state, reinforcing structural disparities and undermining the dignity to which all people are entitled. Based on these observations and reflecting on the Gospel of Matthew, we are urged to be wise in seeking living conditions that allow us to be prepared to face any type of adverse climate scenario. We recognize that the most resilient communities are the poorest ones, those that receive the least attention from governments. This reality is not the plan of God for us. To be wise, under godly understanding, means that we are called to build safe spaces for all, that governments should be working not only for some but for every single person. God’s plans include all, with no one left behind, therefore, to do the opposite becomes a structural sin of our present times. The Gospels are much more than an account of the life, miracles, and signs of Jesus. The message they embody is the Messiah's clear call to challenge the status quo; they are a call for communitarian organization that seeks the common good of the most marginalized, just as Jesus did! As churches and faith-based communities, we have a great responsibility: we cannot be indifferent to the needs of the poorest and most marginalized. The radical nature of the Gospel is clear and challenges us to open pathways of equity where no such paths exist. In the times in which we are living, we are called to uphold the banner of freedom that breaks the chains of contemporary oppression and slavery as our flag and our seal. For it is through this that we will be brought closer to the saving project of God’s Kingdom. As a restorative vision, we are reminded of the fulfillment of God’s promise sent by the message of hope in Revelation. Here, it is said that the God of Life will show the fruit of his love and passion for us, pouring out his new mercy every day and bringing us closer, through Jesus, to the Kingdom of divine justice. In this passage, the angel of God is drawing a living painting with clean and pure waters flowing down, of leaves of trees healing us, and all of humanity being a part of the joyful celebration of genuine justice and peace.  In this hope, we are called to act on the vision in Revelation, here and now. Through justice, solidarity, and defense of life for the most marginalized, we as faith communities and institutions must come together to ensure that safe water, dignity, and justice is accessible across Latin America and the Caribbean.    Questions for Discussion Do you think that your church should discuss how to build resilient communities that are empowered to deal with the effects of climate change? What would you do to help improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in all areas of your city and country?   Practical ideas Organize communities to advocate for public policies in your country, with the aim of advocating for the construction of adequate sanitation infrastructure in marginalized areas. Train community leaders on how to build resilient communities that can adapt to climate change.   Resources  Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ Of The Holy Father Francis On Care For Our Common Home: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html El Paraíso – Nación Ekeko & Julieta Venega https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ5HmtDcgks Canción Ecológica: Cuidar La Tierra - Ecuador-Juan Morales Montero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgh4FGggsJ0   Rev. Veronica Flachier, a Lutheran pastor who currently serves as president of the Ecumenical Human Rights Commission of Ecuador. She was cochair of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network and a member of the International Reference Group for 11 years. Today, she is a member of the WCC Just Community of Women and Men International Reference Group. See more

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