WaterAid in brief

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The need for water and sanitation

Clean, safe water is something most of us take for granted, but nearly 800 million people do not have access to it and 2.5 billion have nowhere safe and clean to go to the toilet. 

As a result, 2,000 children die every day from easily prevented diarrheal diseases.  Millions more are unable to attend school.  Millions of women are unable to work because they spend so much time caring for sick children, collecting water or searching for privacy to go to the toilet.

What we do

Together with local organizations, WaterAid uses practical, sustainable solutions to provide safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education to the poorest people in developing countries.

WaterAid works with individuals and their families, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people, to help them set up, operate, manage and maintain their own projects.

WaterAid's country programs deliver solutions that are:

• Local: We work in partnership with local community organizations, government departments and some private contractors
• Appropriate: We use low-cost technologies suited to local conditions.
• Integrated: We stress the importance of integrated water, sanitation and hygiene education provision so that communities gain the maximum health benefits.
• Sustainable: We involve communities at every stage of the project and train them in maintenance.  We also seek to minimize water depletion and contamination.
  

Our impact

Access to clean water and sanitation close to people's homes reduces the amount of time people spend fetching water and cuts disease.  The extra time and energy people have available lead to substantial improvements in education and livelihoods, making water and sanitation key factors in overcoming poverty.

Influencing others

WaterAid uses its experience, research and good practice to influence decision-makers on water and sanitation issues.