United Nations, March 20 (Prensa Latina) Over two billion people around the world lack access to water and sanitation services, warns a new UN report on water resources.

Poor and most vulnerable people do not have running water services and sometimes have to travel very long distances to get it, or pay 10 to 20 times more for it compared to residents of wealthy neighborhoods, the report indicated.

According to the study carried out by the UN and UNESCO, those who suffer discrimination based on gender, age, social status or belong to a religious, ethic or linguistic minority are less likely to have access to water and sanitation services. Access to water and sanitation facilities is also a challenge for refugees and displaced persons, which reached 68.5 million people in 2017.

According to the report, Africa is home to half of the population that drinks water from unprotected sources- in the sub-Saharan area only 24 percent of people have access to drinking water.

Besides, mainly women and girls are responsible for collecting water and dedicate over 30 minutes a day to the detriment of their education.

Since 1980, the demand for water has increased one percent annually. From 2000 to 2009 there were 94 conflicts over water, and from 2010 to 2018 that reached 263.

If the degradation of the environment and unsustainable pressures on water resources continue, by 2050, 45 percent of the world's Gross Domestic Product and 40 percent of global cereal production will be at risk.

Therefore, the UN calls on the Member States to implement policies to guarantee these services for all.

This year, World Water Day - celebrated every March 22 - focuses on the issue 'Do not leave anyone behind'.