2009 – 2015

Increasing stress on water resources coupled with a changing and unpredictable climate makes understanding how we manage water supplies ever more important.

Credit: WaterAid / Vijay Kutty

Barbara Frost, WaterAid's Chief Executive, reports on WaterAid's plans for the next six years.

WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation – a world where WaterAid will no longer be needed and these services are enjoyed by all.

We have achieved great success in the last few years. With your support we have worked with local partner organisations to help a million people gain access to safe water and three million to sanitation last year alone. We have expanded our policy and advocacy work calling for change from decision-makers around the world.

But the need is huge, and with so many people without access to water and sanitation; one in eight people and nearly 40% of the world's population respectively; we realise that we alone will never reach all of these people.

In the coming years we want to identify why people don't have access to these basic needs in the first place and respond to this by using our expertise, knowledge and experience to bring about lasting change.

We need to demonstrate how things can be changed. We need to promote the right to safe water and sanitation, influence policy change and develop the capabilities of governments and others responsible for providing water and sanitation services.

We will continue to work with local partner organisations to develop solutions that reach the most marginalised and socially excluded people. This will provide the inspiration for what is possible on a wider scale.

We aim to inspire and enable more communities to demand action from those who should be providing these services. Enabling people to have a strong voice in decisions that affect them is key to an equitable future.

We need to look at the wider context affecting water supply management. Urgent issues to address include rapid urbanisation, increasing stress placed on water resources, and a changing and unpredictable climate.

And crucially we will work at all levels to influence decision makers to prioritise water and sanitation alongside health and education in plans to reduce poverty.

In the light of the financial crisis we will closely monitor and review our plans to ensure that we can honour our commitments without overstretching our resources. We will continue to use the money you generously donate safely and wisely to ensure that we reach those most in need. By working together, even in these unpredictable times, I believe we can find ways to overcome the global crisis that traps millions in poverty.