News
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| Rt Hon Alan Johnson, UK Health Secretary, raises a glass of clean water to Dr Snow. |
| Credit: WaterAid |
Snowed in
On 16 June 2008 WaterAid marked the 150th anniversary of the death of Dr John Snow, the man who discovered the link between contaminated water and the spread of cholera, by going down the pub!
A blizzard of Joe, Jenny and Johnny Snows joined descendants of Dr John Snow along with Rt Hon Alan Johnson, UK Secretary of State for Health, at the John Snow pub in Broadwick Street, Soho, close to the water pump at the centre of the cholera epidemic of 1854.
The group unveiled a special Chemical Landmark blue plaque at the pub, awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry, who joined WaterAid in celebrating Dr Snow's great scientific discovery.
WaterAid's Chair, Jeremy Pelczer, who spoke at the event said: "The difference that Snow's discovery made to public health in the UK was immense; it's about time the rest of the world started to benefit from Snow's work, given that 5,000 children die every day in developing countries from water-related diseases like cholera."
Awarded for water work
Feliciano dos Santos from our partner Estamos in Mozambique has been awarded the world's most notable environmental prize for grassroots activists. He has dedicated his life to campaigning for water and sanitation through music and programme work.
You can read 'A day in the life of' Santos here.
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World Press Award-winning photographer Akintunde Akileye recently visited our work in Nigeria to highlight the water and sanitation crisis in his country.
This image shows men buying water between two unplanned settlements in the Plateau State. While some families here have access to water, others rely on springs and open wells. When these families can afford to they also buy water from vendors where the price fluctuates, from 10 naira (4p) to 15 naira (6p), depending on whether it is the rainy or dry season.
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Testing the water in India
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| Credit: Martin Argles |
In May hundreds of experts met at a WaterAid conference in Delhi, India, to explore ways to tackle the growing problem of polluted drinking water in the country.
As well as man-made and sewage pollutants, excessive levels of naturally occurring fluoride and arsenic are all affecting the health of the world's largest population.
WaterAid is supporting its partners and the communities we work with to test their drinking water and ensure that it is safe to drink.
To read more or watch a film on water testing visit the WaterAid India website.
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News in brief
Annual Supporters' Meeting
If you would like to find out more about our work and hear first hand experiences from the countries where we work why not come to our Annual Supporters' Meeting on Thursday 9 October in London? To find out more please call us on 0845 6000 433.
Annual report and accounts
Our annual report and accounts for 2007/08 will be published in October this year. Early indications show we helped 1.3 million people gain access to safe water and over three million to sanitation – all thanks to your generous support. To find out more and to see how we spend your money please call us on 0845 6000 433 to receive a copy of the report or view it online after 9 October.
Improving access in Ethiopia
WaterAid's work on improving disabled people's access to water and sanitation in Ethiopia was recognised at the UN Disability awards in December. Our research is helping to ensure more people can access their basic human rights.
New look Learn zone
Our new look Learn zone is a free online education resource for primary and secondary schools all about water around the world. Ready to use activities include slideshows, films, games and real life stories from Africa and Asia. |
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About us
