The headlines are bleak
As COVID-19 continues, your help is needed now more than ever
We’re responding to the spread of COVID-19 in the most vulnerable health centers and communities in the world. As the pandemic continues, we need to do even more right now in countries with already fragile health systems, to protect as many of those most at risk as possible and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Equipping health centers protects us all.
Who we are
WaterAid started in 1981 because no non-profit like us existed. We are determined to make clean water, reliable toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Since March 2020 we have scaled up our work in 30+ countries to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic. This rapid-response work, building on our strong track record in providing critical water infrastructure, is how people can change their lives for good.
Learn more about our COVID-19 response.
Since 1981, we have empowered 27 million people with clean water and we're only just getting started!
The water crisis
Diarrhea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills almost 800 children a day. A lack of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene keeps kids out of school, adults out of work and traps people in poverty.
How we do it
We tackle the issue from all angles. We work with local partners to deliver clean water and decent toilets, and promote good hygiene, and campaign to change normal for everyone, everywhere.
Our impact
Together we can unlock people’s potential with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Without all three, people can’t live dignified, healthy lives. With all three, they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty, and change their lives for good.
With clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, children are born healthier. They get the chance to go to school, and grow up to become adults. Women and men get to earn a living. Whole communities start to thrive. It sounds normal and it should be.
In a world with so many competing priorities, WaterAid remains resolutely focused on tackling these three essentials because they transform people’s lives for good.
WaterAid 101
From advocacy to engineering, we cover a lot of ground, but the fundamentals of our work are simple:
Taps
Clean water infrastructure means people can access clean, running water 365 days a year.
Toilets
Toilets matter more than you might think. Sanitation is fundamental for the dignity and health of a community.
Hygiene
Hygiene is the final piece of the puzzle. Good hygiene helps people stay healthier, it prevents the spread of diseases and allows people to flourish.
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Real-time monitoring
The work doesn't end when the water project is complete. We have a vast network of community leaders, engineers and WaterAid staff who monitor our projects. Since 2012, we have worked with MWater, a data management platform, to monitor the functionality of our water points, to ensure as many of them as possible continue to serve the community.
Clean water
Clean water
1 in 10 people don't have clean water close to home. We work with communities to find lasting solutions to unlock their potential and break free from poverty.
Decent toilets
Decent toilets
1 in 3 people don't have a reliable toilet of their own. We're working with communities to build a local workforce that can install and maintain toilets.
Good hygiene
Good hygiene
Good hygiene and handwashing is one of the most effective ways of improving global health. That's why we have always supported hygiene education.