management recognises that countries that have water in relative abundance may produce goods and services, and also recognises the need to promote the development of disadvantaged countries in a way that will improve the welfare of the poor. Comparative advantage in the use of water allows water scarce countries to import high water consuming products while reserving their limited water resources for use by low water consuming products, thus allowing countries to balance their water budgets in a sustainable manner. Since agriculture is the largest economic sector in terms of water use, trade in agricultural products is the main component that should be considered in the trade in water intensive commodities. When applied in a coherent manner at a regional level to ensure regional food security, the concept of comparative advantage between countries in the use of water may contribute fundamentally to regional trade and economic integration and at the same time contribute to poverty eradication in communities producing the food. However this approach needs to be balanced with the national governments‟ needs for food security and sovereignty, and will require a negotiated process based on integrated planning at a regional level. 4.2 Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 4.2.1. Policy: Members States have a social and economic responsibility to ensure sustainable access to safe water supply for basic human needs in their respective countries. Access to safe water supply varies widely across the region. In about half of the SADC countries, access to safe water supply in the rural areas is less than 50%, but relatively higher in urban areas. The health and socio-economic implications are enormous in terms of mortality and sickness from waterborne diseases, children kept out of school, and women deprived of time for productive pursuits due to daily drudgery of fetching water and caring for sick family members. Though provision of water supply is a local level activity and a responsibility of each Member State, the implications of lack of access have regional dimensions since diseases do not respect political boundaries, and effects of poverty in one country impact other States as well. Consequently, Member State governments need to be cognisant of their national (local) and regional responsibilities. SADC Member States, as members of the UN, have made commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, which includes, for water supply, reducing by 50%, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water. Therefore there is a national and regional imperative to support expansion of sustainable access to safe water supply. 4.2.2. Policy: Member States will prioritise the allocation, access and utilisation of water resources for basic human needs over any other allocation, access and utilisation. - 23 -