Poverty isn't just a lack of money. It's a lack of everything. Education, food, health, equal rights, jobs, clean water and decent toilets. All of these are basic human rights that are denied to millions of people all over the world.
In 2015, 193 countries belonging to the United Nations promised to end extreme poverty by 2030 by focusing on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or 'Global Goals'). Goal 6 is all about ending the global water crisis, and reaching everyone with clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Without those essentials, none of the other goals can be achieved.
WaterAid and the Sustainable Development Goals
Since 1981, WaterAid has reached over 27 million people all over the world with clean water and decent toilets. But the scale of the global water crisis is simply too big for one charity.
785 million people still don’t have clean water close to home, and 2 billion don’t have a decent toilet.
We need the political will and force of Governments to tackle the crisis, which is why we campaigned (successfully!) for the United Nations to adopt Goal 6. In order to achieve the 2030 deadline, we're working with Governments at all levels to develop plans and policies that will enable them to reach everyone with water and sanitation.
Hygiene in Nepal
Hygiene in Nepal
We’re working with the Nepalese Government to reach thousands of mums and babies with hygiene behaviour sessions at immunisation clinics.
UK Aid in Sierra Leone
UK Aid in Sierra Leone
We worked with the UK Government to raise millions of pounds in the Untapped campaign and reach communities like Tombohuaun with clean water and decent toilets.
Zambia and cholera
Zambia and cholera
We've teamed up with the Zambian Government to respond to the cholera crisis through hygiene promotion in some of the worst affected areas.
