Clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are vital for living a dignified, healthy life.
Statistics can look stark. Almost one in five people on the planet don't have a decent toilet of their own. Almost one in ten 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 change millions more lives for good.
703 million people in the world – almost one in ten – don’t have clean water close to home.
703 million people in the world – almost one in ten – don’t have clean water close to home.
WHO/UNICEF (2023). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022: special focus on gender.
1.5 billion people in the world – almost one in five – don’t have a decent toilet of their own.
1.5 billion people in the world – almost one in five – don’t have a decent toilet of their own.
WHO/UNICEF (2023). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022: special focus on gender.
Globally three in ten schools don’t even have a basic water service.
Globally three in ten schools don’t even have a basic water service.
WHO/UNICEF (2022). Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools: 2000-2021 data update.
More than a millon deaths every year are caused by infections from unclean births.
More than a millon deaths every year are caused by infections from unclean births.
UN Water (2021). The United Nations World Water Development Report 2021: Valuing Water. Facts and Figures.
Diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills one child under the age of five nearly every two minutes.
Diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills one child under the age of five nearly every two minutes.
WHO (2023). Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene: 2019 update.
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.