CHAN:
A Matt Damon film collaboration about three men running across the Sahara dessert highlights at the opening of a global water crisis conference in the USA.

STORY:
Drinking fresh water is something that most of us take for granted but for many getting a constant fresh supply is becoming a global concern.

The inaugural International Water Conference at the UN seeks to tackle that trickle.

Guests at the opening reception were treated to clips from a forthcoming documentary "Running the Sahara".

Ultra runner Charlie Engle shared his insight into the situation in Africa.

[Charlie Engle, Sahara Runner]:
"There was no water in the outlying areas therefore all these people were being forced into the city, they had no choice. And the water they were drinking in the city was something that none of us would ever drink or if we did we would be ill for months."

Water is there, however, it just needs the means to access it.

A thriving school in a village with access to clean water was evidence of growth and the indomitable spirit of the indigenous people to overcome adversity.

[Charlie Engle, Sahara Runner]:
"When we would hit the lowest points though it seemed that we would come into a village and we would be surrounded by these children that had such incredible energy, it reminded us that we had a job to do and every time we would leave one of those villages we were fired up again, and just, and ready to go."

Producer Larry Tanz is confident about the effect of the film.

[Larry Tanz, Film Producer]:
"Every one who comes out of this movie, those images are going to stick with them, so then we have 'H2O Africa' which is really about attacking the water problem in these countries and Africa."

Charlie Engle and two friends were filmed running for 111 consecutive days, 4,300 miles across the Sahara desert.

NTD New York