Irregular rainfall and political instability have left communities in Mali without basic services such as a water supply and toilets, with serious health impacts. One child in five dies before the age of five.

According to official statistics half the population has safe water, but many handpumps are broken leaving no choice but to use dirty sources. Some estimates suggest just 27% have safe water.

Work is hard to find and many people lack a basic education. Even when employment opportunities are available, in agriculture or fishing, there is little time to work or study after walking long distances for water.

WaterAid has been working in Mali since 2000. Over the last decade we have worked with local partners and influenced decision-makers to help over 200,000 people access safe water and basic toilets.

We support communities in urban areas to construct communal tapstands and carry out repairs where necessary. In rural areas, villages are taught how to deepen and protect their hand-dug wells against contamination.

We also continue to raise awareness of the vital importance of good hygiene and toilets. We work with women and marginalised groups in particular to ensure our efforts benefit those most in need.

In Mali last year we reached:

• 39,000 people with safe water
• 42,000 people with improved sanitation.