Clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are vital for living a dignified, healthy life.
Statistics can look stark. 1 in 4 people on the planet don't have a decent toilet of their own. 1 in 10 don't have clean water close to home.
But thanks to your incredible support, we’ve already reached millions of people in some of the toughest places in the world. We can’t stop there.
By working together, we can reach everyone, everywhere within a generation – and transform millions more lives for good.
Please note: all statistics on the WaterAid website are from WASHwatch, unless otherwise stated.
785 million people don’t have clean water close to home.
785 million people don’t have clean water close to home.
(WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report 2019)
2 billion people don't have a decent toilet of their own.
2 billion people don't have a decent toilet of their own.
(WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report 2019)
Globally, 31% of schools do not have clean water and 34% lack decent toilets.
Globally, 31% of schools do not have clean water and 34% lack decent toilets.
JMP (2018) Drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools; Global baseline report
Every minute a newborn dies from infection caused by a lack of clean water and an unclean environment.
Every minute a newborn dies from infection caused by a lack of clean water and an unclean environment.
(WHO, 2015)
Diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills a child under 5 every 2 minutes.
Diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills a child under 5 every 2 minutes.
(Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2014 and The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2018)
Around the world up to 443 million school days are lost every year because of water-related illnesses.
Around the world up to 443 million school days are lost every year because of water-related illnesses.
(Human Development Report, 2006)
Every $1 invested in water and toilets returns an average of $4 in increased productivity.
Every $1 invested in water and toilets returns an average of $4 in increased productivity.
(WHO, 2012)
The World Bank says promoting good hygiene is one of the most cost effective health interventions.
The World Bank says promoting good hygiene is one of the most cost effective health interventions.
(Disease Control Priorities, third edition (volume 2), 2016)
If everyone, everywhere had clean water, the number of diarrhoeal deaths would be cut by a third.
If everyone, everywhere had clean water, the number of diarrhoeal deaths would be cut by a third.
(Tropical Medicine and International Health, 2014)
Between 2000 and 2017, 2.1 billion people globally gained access to a decent toilet and 1.8 billion people gained access to basic water access.
Between 2000 and 2017, 2.1 billion people globally gained access to a decent toilet and 1.8 billion people gained access to basic water access.
(WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report 2019)
Working with our partners around the world, we reached over 109 people an hour with clean water between 2016 and 2017.
Working with our partners around the world, we reached over 109 people an hour with clean water between 2016 and 2017.
(WaterAid, 2017)
Since 1981, WaterAid has reached over 27 million people with clean water and decent toilets.
Since 1981, WaterAid has reached over 27 million people with clean water and decent toilets.
(WaterAid, 2019)
Globally between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019 we directly reached:
385,000 household members with clean water, 433,000 with decent toilets, and 1,503,000 with good hygiene.
385,000 household members with clean water, 433,000 with decent toilets, and 1,503,000 with good hygiene.
(WaterAid, 2019)
206,000 school students with clean water, 182,000 with decent toilets, and 695,000 with good hygiene.
206,000 school students with clean water, 182,000 with decent toilets, and 695,000 with good hygiene.
(WaterAid, 2019)
Through healthcare centres, 1,238,000 people gained access to clean water, 1,080,000 to decent toilets, and 991,000 to good hygiene.
Through healthcare centres, 1,238,000 people gained access to clean water, 1,080,000 to decent toilets, and 991,000 to good hygiene.
(WaterAid, 2019)
Numbers for households and schools = people who use these services every day. Numbers for healthcare facilities = the population each facility exists to serve, adjusted to reflect the scale of alternative / private provision.
People reached either through facilities or sustained promotion. Hygiene promotion numbers are estimates of people reached with hygiene promotion messages at least three times in a year through local marketing campaigns in communities, in schools and via local health services
The figures above refer to the people we directly reach through services delivered together with our partners. They only show part of our impact – to make lasting change happen on a massive scale, we also:
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convince governments to change laws;
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link policy makers with people on the ground;
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change attitudes and behaviours;
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pool knowledge and resources; and
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rally support from people and organisations around the world.
Through this work we benefit many more people than those shown above.